Betty Jean Farnsworth was born in San Diego, but within a few years the family of Otis and Mildred Farnsworth settled in Orange. They had four children to raise.
Betty, the second oldest, lived in 0range for 50 years. As a young child, she lived in a humble little house at 330 S. Grand St. from about 1942 - 1952 and attended the Center Street School. Then the family moved to 455 B. Harwood St, to be closer to Orange Union High School. Betty's brothers and sister, Eugene, Lee and Janice all attended there at one time.
Betty was Baptized in 1950 by Rev. Sanders at the First Baptist Church in Orange, where she had been attending with her close childhood friend Anna Shaw. She remained an active member of that church for 40 years, serving on committees and as the treasurer of the women's groups.
She graduated as an average student from from Orange Union High School in 1955. She lettered in field hockey at Orange High School, which was no small accomplishment for her. After meeting on a double date at Skate Ranch, she married Conrad Eick in February, 1958. She worked briefly for Goodwill in Santa Ana, and later moved to Metamora, Michigan with Conrad to be with his family on the farm. However, after a few weeks there, they decided to move back. The rural life away from all her family did not suit this city girl. She also missed her many friends in Orange.
They lived in apartments near the Sunkist Fruit Exchange on S. Glassell St. in Orange, then back on Grand St. In 1967, they moved to a house on Lime St. on the growing west side of the city.
As an adult, she enjoyed crocheting, which she had learned from her aunt Mary Neff of Santa Ana. She was often found riding her bike to the store and around the city of Orange. She paid bills and did much of her shopping this way. This gave her some freedom she did not have earlier in life due to protective parents and friends who feared she would hurt herself in a fall or seizure. It also allowed her to get around despite not being able to hold a driver's license due to her frequent seizures. While she did occasionally suffer injuries as a result of her seizures, she never let it get her down for too long.
In 1967, Betty gave birth to a son, an answer to her life long prayer to become a mother and be like all the rest of her friends who already had their children. During her son's elementary school years, Betty volunteered at Sycamore Elementary School doing clerical work, and also worked as the secretary for Vacation Bible School each summer at First Baptist Church in Orange. She became very active in women's ministry there, as well, serving as secretary and treasurer at various times.
Over the years, Betty would faithfully stay in touch with her many friends from OHS class of 1955. She attended every reunion held. She also proudly sent her son off to OHS when it was time.
When Betty died suddenly after a seizure at home in 1991, a saddened community of friends from her high school class, local businesses and her church joined family in a funeral service attended by more than 400 people. She was eulogized at Shannons' funeral home in Orange by former pastor and family friend John Thompson. He mentioned the thousands of crocheted crosses or "Bible markers" she had given away as part of her testimony to nearly everyone she ever met. She had learned to make these as a teenager, taught by her aunt. The impression Betty left on many people with this special "trademark" was almost legendary in her hometown.
Betty's husband, Conrad, remained at the house on Lime St. and continued to work in the aerospace industry in Costa Mesa. He finally sold that home in 1994, after living there for 27 years, to relocate to Colorado to be close to his son and daughter-in-law.