Betty Lou Shaum

Betty Lou Shaum, a longtime resident of Albuquerque, went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 8, 2022, at the age of 89. She lived a full life and will be missed by her family and her friends.

Betty was born on July 23, 1932, in Van Nuys, CA. Her early years were spent in southern California with family during the Great Depression and World War II. As a teenager, she lived in Japan after the War due to a deployment by her father, an officer in the US Army.

Betty married Richard L. Shaum Sr. on November 12, 1953. They moved to Albuquerque in 1954 where she became a lifelong resident except for brief periods away. Betty celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary prior to her husband’s death in 2004.

Betty is survived by her four children: Richard Lee Shaum Jr. (Rick) and wife Gayle, Raymond Warren Shaum, Nancy Lou McHarness and husband Denny, and Robert Alan Shaum and wife Debbie. She has ten grandchildren: Richard Shaum III, Katherine (and Chris) Shaum, Laura (and Colby) Smith, David Shaum, Alisa (and Kil) Davis, David McHarness, Daniel McHarness, Katelyn (and Hank) Lancaster, Andrew Shaum, and Amanda (and Glen) Loepke. Betty is survived by nine great-grandchildren: Austin, Savannah, and Shelby Smith; Evelyn Zimmermann; Alana-Rei and Cassandra Loeppke; Adelynn Lancaster; Caiah Umar; and Ariella Davis.

She was very devoted to her family and quick to share stories about them with anyone who would listen.

Betty’s career in the Albuquerque banking community spanned several decades. She began in mortgage lending and moved to commercial lending where she developed strong relationships with many homebuilders in the community. Betty was an active member of NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) where she served on local, state, and national committees.

In addition to her roles as mother, wife, and banker, Betty was active in many church roles including several ministries that focused on youth. For several decades, she served on the board of Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH), a ministry that translates the Bible into every language. She also supported Be the One, a non-profit founded by her daughter and son-in-law, connecting students in Lynden, WA, to mentors.

Interment at Sunset Memorial Park will take place privately. In lieu of flowers, donations to FCBH and Be the One (Partners for Schools) are encouraged. Please visit our online guestbook for Betty at www.FrenchFunerals.com