Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Tomei

Elizabeth Ann (“Betty”) Tomei

Las Cruces Sun News

January 19, 2026

      Elizabeth Ann (“Betty”) Tomei was born to loving parents Ann and Leo Hankerd in Flint, Michigan on April 22, 1938, and passed on to eternal glory in Las Cruces, New Mexico on January 17, 2026, surrounded by family and friends.

Betty is survived by brother Bob (Mary Louise) Hankerd; brother Pat (Mary Christine) Hankerd; sister Mary Helen Guzak; sister-in-law Judy Conway; sister-in-law Beth (Bill) Derwin; and brother-in-law Eddie Joe (Cindy) Tomei. She is preceded in death by husband Lester Tomei; brother-in-law Chester Tomei and sister-in-law and best friend Kay Tomei; brother-in-law Dave Guzak; sister-in-law Lucille (Clyde) Sims; and brother-in-law Bob Conway.

Betty is survived by daughter Patty (Rick) Wendt; daughter Carol Tomei; daughter Jan (John) Mueller; daughter-in-law Cindy Tomei; and honorary daughter Wendy (Richard) Flamm. She is preceded in death by son Joe Tomei; son David Tomei; and son-in-law James Salopek.

Betty is survived by her eight grandchildren: Nicole (Mike) Brackett; Jaye Patrick Jaquess; Anne Marie Robles; Jake (Amanda) Bathman; Max Bathman; Sam Bathman; Ryan (Alex) Tomei; and Erin Tomei. In addition, Betty was blessed with thirteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Betty was widely known and deeply loved by her large Catholic family, her local community, and her extensive network of friends. She avoided the spotlight and never bragged about herself. She would never tell you but she was everyone’s favorite!

Betty was warm, approachable, welcoming, accepting, engaging, loving, giving, and compassionate. Despite her small stature, Betty was a formidable force of nature who was filled with the Spirit. She had a passion for being there for others in their time of need, and for consistently and tirelessly doing good works. As an example, Betty volunteered at the El Caldito Soup Kitchen in Las Cruces for a number of years, serving in several roles including cook, server, dishwasher, funding director, and board member.

Betty lived her life to the fullest to the very last day, using the extensive set of gifts that God blessed her with. And God certainly blessed the rest of us because He gave us Betty.

In many ways, Betty lived her life like Mother Teresa, who once said: “In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”

The family thanks Mesilla Valley Hospice for their loving care and support. A memorial service mass will be held at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church at 3600 Paroquia Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico on Thursday February 5, 2026 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Mesilla Valley Hospice or the El Caldito Soup Kitchen.