FAYETTEVILLE — Marie Betzold Riley,

65, died peacefully on Sunday, May 5. She was a unique, funny, smart, capable, quirky, artistic, kind, assertive, helpful and utterly lovable lady. She was a mentor to many, especially young people who had difficulties sorting out the mysteries of life. She was a hightech savior to many, including old folks such as her husband who were uncomfortable with the computer age.

Marie was born in Lake Shores, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. She was the youngest of five siblings. Her parents were Eugene and Helen Wendell Betzold. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Linda Manikas, her brother Arthur “Artie” Betzold, and her niece Michelle Kuttner.

Marie met her husband Art Hobson in 1987 when he was shopping for his first personal computer at the Megabyte store in Fayetteville. They dated for five years, after which he suggested, during a beautiful evening at a beachfront restaurant in Acapulco, Mexico, that they get married. She pondered this the rest of the evening. Finally, on the way back to their hotel, she responded that she would think about this. They dated for another five years before she finally consented.

She loved riding bicycles. In addition to day trips, Art and Marie took a beautiful Friday to Sunday bicycle round trip to Bentonville on the Greenway Trail. They took 15 trips to Europe, excursions that always included a ten- to fifteen-day bicycling adventure.

She is survived by her son, Justin Riley of Fayetteville, and her sisters Arlene Webb and Debbie Knack.

She cared deeply about her extended family. Having no grandchildren of her own, she considered her many nephews and nieces to be her grandchildren. These were Richard Studebaker, Tammy Manikas, Kyle Manikas, Marybeth Soden, Pam Anderson, Jake Anderson, Nicole Reid, Derek Kuttner, Ian Kuttner, and Devon Kuttner. Other beloved family members were Art’s family Ziva, Doug, Jordan, Parker, and Xander (Art’s great grandson) Branstetter, and her former husband’s sister Linda Pollack.

Marie and Art had a family dog, a well-loved terrier named Baxter, for 15 years. Three years ago they adopted Oskar and Justin adopted Oskar’s brother Banjo, the world’s two most lovable Schnauzers.

Marie earned a degree in psychology from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, after which she married and gave birth to her son Justin.

Her professional career in information technology began at the Megabyte store in Fayetteville where she was a technology assistant. It was here that she met her Art who needed, and still needs, computer assistance.

She was proud to earn a position at the Information Technology Department at the University of Arkansas. She was an intelligent, compassionate, and respected member of the university community. She was a leader, advocate, and friend to many on the campus and in the Fayetteville community. For most of her 29-year career in IT, she was the university’s Application Support Director. She created an excellent team that listened to the needs of clients and responded with exceptional customer service. Marie’s team supported up to 13 enterprise applications for the campus, creating support groups and maintaining an open-door policy.

Most recently, Marie was the Research Technologies Liaison for the Associate CIO of Research and Academic Technology, a new role that she embraced.

When she joined the University of Arkansas in 1994, Marie was one of the few female leaders in IT, breaking barriers and advocating for people who needed equal opportunity.

Most recently, Marie appeared as Cat in the Hat at a university function and had her photo taken with Big Red. She was known for transforming her yard each year into an elaborate Halloween wonderland that was enjoyed by the whole community.

Marie liked bicycling, European travels, costuming, gardening, and creative projects. One of her many passions was acquiring and re-selling vintage fashions. She had a booth at a local resale establishment.

One of her greatest strengths was her desire to help others over herself. She was extremely dedicated to friends and family as they were to her. From her mother, she inherited a tradition of welcoming young people into her house and engaging them.

There will be a memorial service for Marie on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at Moore’s Chapel, 206 West Center Street, Fayetteville, just west of the downtown square, with visitation before the service. To place an online memory or condolence, visit bernafuneralhomes.com. Instead of flowers, please send donations to Peace at Home Family Shelter in Fayetteville.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com.