Elizabeth “Bette” Ann-Eulalia Dooley Kirchgatter

Known as “Bette” to most and “Miss Lizzie” or “Mama Liz” during her final adventures here on Earth, Elizabeth Ann-Eulalia Dooley Kirchgatter lived a life filled with creativity, resilience, faith, and love.

Elizabeth was born in Chadron, Nebraska, on September 27, 1945, the second of seven children and the first daughter born to Vernon and Eileen Dooley of Tracy, California. She was the sister of Larry Dooley and wife Carol; Margaret (Dooley) Guerrettaz and husband Steve; Rita (Dooley) Evans and husband Michael; Vince Dooley (d. 2023) and wife Sandy; Steve Dooley and wife Rosemary; and Loretta Dooley and Cindi.

She married Jerry Kirchgatter in 1964, beginning a life that would first take her across the country as a Navy wife. After the Navy they raised three children: Nanette Kirchgatter Hintz, Eric Kirchgatter, and Benjamin Kirchgatter.

Bette was a proud grandmother to Calla (CJ) Hintz Flannery, Jasmine (Jazzy) Hintz, Erica Kirchgatter, and Conner Kirchgatter, and a loving great-grandmother to Vernon James Flannery and Isabell Kirchgatter. She is survived by daughters-in-law Tina Kirchgatter and Stacey Kirchgatter, along with many, many nieces, nephews, cousins, her husbands’ brothers and sisters, more extended family members, and dear friends.

After the passing of her first husband, Jerry, Bette was blessed to find love a second time with Robert Couch, her faithful companion, partner in crime, and steadfast rock from 2001 until her final moments.

Bette grew up in Tracy, California, and graduated from Tracy High School in 1963. In her early life she lived in San Pedro and San Diego, California, and Portsmouth, Virginia, before eventually returning to California. After a brief time in Pittsburg, California, the family settled in West Point, California, where Bette raised her children with husband Jerry and built a beautiful life until 1988, with brief periods living in Lincoln and Cazadero, California. From there, she called Mokelumne Hill, California; Coos Bay, Oregon; Navarre, Florida; Green Valley, Arizona; and finally Florala, Alabama home. Florala is where she settled permanently in 2008 until her passing.

Many knew her as an extraordinarily talented seamstress. From childhood, when she made clothes for her doll Mary Jane, to designing her own wedding dress, Bette’s gift for sewing touched countless lives. She created horseman costumes for the Rose Parade, founded her own western shirt brand called Mountain Seamstress, and made countless prom dresses, quilts, holiday decorations, Halloween costumes, and handmade treasures for family and friends. Her grandchildren were especially spoiled with ‘Lady Liz’ crafted creations made on her prized computerized sewing machines. She was a talented artist with the brush and paint as well with over 100 completed pieces, with several gallery sales of her work.

Others knew her as the founder and owner of Nature’s Pantry, her health food store and café she established in West Point, California, in 1978. Bette baked all the bread for the shop herself and maintained a one-acre garden to supply fresh produce for both the store and her family. During this time, she raised chickens, goats, pigs, sheep, and rabbits while making homemade yogurt, cheeses, and hundreds of canned goods each year.

Some knew her as “the Mary Kay lady” — stylish, vibrant, and unforgettable. She proudly earned the iconic pink car and was always found with her signature curly red Irish hair, perfectly coordinated lipstick, and bold, colorful outfits. Bette loved fashion, flair, and self-expression, leaving behind a treasure trove of clothing and accessories that reflected her larger-than-life personality.

Others knew her through her deep love of music and the Alabama music community she cherished wholeheartedly. Though she often joked that she couldn’t sing a note or play an instrument, she had an incredible ear for music and became involved in music production and creative projects alongside Robert Couch. She helped produce albums and contributed her talents behind the scenes.

All of this but Bette was mostly known as a woman of deep faith and conviction. A constant seeker of truth and understanding, she studied many religions and philosophies throughout her life while holding firmly to her love for God. She approached the world with curiosity, strength, compassion, and kindness toward everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

Born with a serious kidney condition, Elizabeth fought for survival from birth. She lost one kidney at the age of 13 and survived severe childhood fevers that doctors feared would shorten her life. She was told she might never have children and likely would not live beyond 40 years old. True to her spirit, she proved them all wrong.

Throughout her life, Bette had extraordinary adventures, including being run over by a truck at age 16, a car crash at 17 that left her at the bottom of a river, and battling four separate cancers over the years. Bette surprised her family and friends recently with the reveal that she had been recruited as a programmer by the government and worked with the Pentagon during the Vietnam war. Her adventures, survival drive, knowledge and grace through it all amazed everyone around her. “Oh well”.

Elizabeth “Bette” Kirchgatter leaves behind a legacy of creativity, resilience, generosity, and fierce love. She will be deeply missed, endlessly remembered, and forever celebrated.