Bettye Marcanno

Bettye L. Marcanno, 70, passed away at Denver Hospice July 18, 2015. Born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Charles Bell and Fern Coopwood, she was the oldest of five children, Antone, Felezesimein, and Felecidade Crasto and William Noble. Growing up she credited her Grandmother Sally Coopwood, and Aunts Ernestine Wamble and Bettye Miller with providing valuable influence and guidance in her life. She graduated from Manual High School in Denver, where she was a member of the Latin Club, Concert Choir, the All School Show and the Junior Escorts. While at Manual she met her future first husband, Ellis Gayles. They later married and had one son, Ellis Gayles Jr, born in Denver. Bettye's second marriage was to Gerald Marcanno, and they had one son, Diogenes Marcanno, born in Columbus, Ohio. A faithful Christian woman and mother, she was a long time member of Park Hill SDA Church that lovingly guided and nurtured her sons. She ensured that the nightly dinner table was family time and that her sons embraced the ideals of hard work and responsibility, and learned the value of daily Bible study. Bettye's life was dedicated to caring for others. During her 34 year nursing career she was driven by a dedication to ensuring the best care for her patients. This dedication helped propel her to a significant milestone in the state of Colorado when she became a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner in 1978. During her career she served on a medical surgery/heart transplant unit, Intensive and Critical Care units, Pre-op surgery, and was a Charge Nurse for three years. Even when her nursing career was cut short by her own illness, she continued to help both family and friends with medical advice and care. A very creative and talented woman, she loved listening to jazz and classical music, visiting art galleries, as well as sewing and doing crafts. She lovingly designed and handcrafted her own "Betz" greeting cards to minister to and encourage the many lives she touched. It brought her great joy to know that her cards encouraged a child, comforted someone in grief, or brought happiness to someone celebrating a cherished life event. Bettye also enjoyed the many times the church members and friends asked her to make cards, decorations or crafts for holidays, personal celebrations and children's activities. The blessing of grandchildren brought great joy to her life. She cherished the moments spent babysitting, teaching them to read, and spoiling them. Her youngest grandchild would often call and read to her at night before bedtime. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Felecidade, and her husband Gerald Marcanno. Those left to cherish her memory include her two sons, Ellis Gayles Jr. and Diogenes Marcanno; three siblings, Antone and Felezesimein Crasto, and William Noble; 6 grandchildren, Noach, Yosiyah, Tzamirah, Ranya, Yaira and Yaela; daughter in-law Edee Marcanno; and a host of cousins, relatives and friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremation - 2050 Uinta Street, Denver, Colorado
Visitation: 7/26/2015 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/27/2015 at 11:00 AM - Park Hill Seventh Day Adventist - 3385 Albion Street, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 7/27/2015 at 2:15:00 PM - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 W. Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO
Family Gathering: 7/27/2015 - Following Interment Park Hill Seventh Day Adventist - 3385 Albion Street, Denver, CO