Elizabeth W. "Scotty" Labotte

Elizabeth "Scotty" LaBotte, 90, of Coal Valley, Illinois, passed away at the Galena Senior Care Center on May 3, 2017, after a period of failing health.

Services are 1:30 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Coal Valley, with Reverend Tim Snart officiating. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery. Visitation is 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Trimble Funeral Home, Coal Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church.

Elizabeth Watson Craig LaBotte was known by many names. She was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1926, was baptized as Elizabeth, and grew up as Betty. In 1948, at the age of 21, after WWII, she immigrated to the United States on the Queen Mary. She made her way to her father's sister, Aunt Mina, who had immigrated to the United States after WWI. Aunt Mina and Uncle Walt lived in Davenport, Iowa, had no children of their own and took in Betty as a treasured niece. As Betty settled into American life and into the workforce, she was affectionately given the nickname "Scotty" by her new American friends, which stuck with her for the rest of her life.

As a young woman, Scotty enjoyed many a social outing, and was known as a "teetotaler". She loved to dance and was eventually swept off her feet by a young man named Charlie who crashed a dance Betty was attending and convinced her to let him drive her home. The rest is history.

Betty married Charles LaBotte on November 26, 1952 in Davenport Iowa. This is when she became "Bet". She raised four Yanks: Charlene Goode, Galena, IL; Janet (Jeff) Boone, Germantown, TN; Patricia Estes, Coal Valley, IL; and Michael LaBotte, Lake Jackson, TX.
Scotty was the typical 60's and 70's wife and stay at home mom. She was an active volunteer in the PTA, Girl Scouts, Eastern Star and the Presbyterian Church. She attended every possible ball game, school program and choir concert and provided food for everyone everywhere. After her children were grown, she worked as a tour guide at the Quad Cities Airport, a job that very much suited her outgoing personality.

In 1960, Betty and Charlie sponsored the immigration of Betty's cousin, Jane and her husband, John Tennant from Scotland. Several years later, Jean's sister and husband, Betty and Chick Thomson followed. This began the era of the "Gathering of the Clans" with many wonderful family get-togethers. All because of a brave Scottish Lass named Betty Craig.

In the ensuing years, Elizabeth, Betty, Scotty, Bet, Aunt Betty and Mom, became Nana and then Great-Nana. In addition to her children, she is survived by her step-sister, Violet, in Scotland; 9 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff of Galena Care Center, Dubuque Hospice, Dr. Koenigs and Pastor Tim Snart.

Visit Scotty's personal tribute page at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com to share stories and condolences, and light a candle in her memory.