Former Pacific Palisades resident Betty Jeanne Nirella, a successful artist and local art teacher, passed away July 16 at Mt. San Antonio Gardens in Pomona at the age of 85. Born in Rockford, Illinois, in 1921, Betty was the youngest of three children all born on November 4 (but in different years) to Olive Ferris May and Samuel May. She grew up with her sister Marion and brother John in St. Petersburg, Florida, enjoying her childhood in a resort-like setting. She discovered her artistic skill early and later attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she made many long-lasting friendships. Upon moving to California in the 1940s, Betty continued her artistic training at The Art Center in Los Angeles. She served in the Detached Army Corps in Japan in the early 1950s and then returned to California and settled in Pacific Palisades. There she worked in a toy store and at Allegro Music while teaching painting. In 1955 she joined her brother near the Oregon coastal town of Florence to develop a roadside stop. Betty built an A-frame store to intrigue travelers with her artwork and local Oregonian novelties such as myrtle wood bowels, shells, and weavings. She specialized in painting portraits and landscapes and sold more than 2,500 paintings in her lifetime. She married Daniel Kaighn Nirella in 1958 and they were happily married until Dan died in 1981. Betty continued to teach art at Rustic Canyon Park, the Palisades-Malibu YMCA, and privately on her deck at her Santa Monica home as well as on several international tours that she led. She moved to Mount San Antonio Gardens in Pomona in 1989, where she continued to teach art and enjoy other creative pursuits, including her active participation with the Live Poet Society. Betty was preceded in death by both siblings. Although she did not have children of her own, she enjoyed visiting with her nephews Mark Dedon (Dublin, California), Bob Dedon (Seattle), Paul May and niece Carol Bell (St. Petersburg). A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, at Mt. San Antonio Gardens. Interment will be on Monday at Woodlawn Cemetery in Santa Monica. Contacts: Mark or Erica Dedon at (925) 487 6994. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Mt. San Antonio Gardens Friendship Fund, 900 E. Harrison Ave., Pomona, CA 91767.
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