Betty Ann Callahan Sherwood was born July 22, 1937, in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where she was raised by her parents, Rowena and Thomas Callahan.

After a stint in beauty school and short stops in Colorado and Oklahoma, Betty met George Sherwood, who was in the Air Force and stationed at Francis E Warren AFB near Cheyenne.   They were married in July 1962 and moved to Lompoc when George was transferred to Vandenberg AFB in 1964.

Betty made Lompoc her new home and, in earlier years, was a homemaker.  When her younger children were in school, she went to work as a hotel property manager for many years at the Flag Waver Motel in Lompoc, as well as several motels in Solvang.  She then moved on to retail and used her considerable artistic skills, creating beautiful displays at the Calico Cat in Lompoc and later Bella's in Solvang until she retired.

Betty was extremely curious, an independent thinker, and an avid reader with an impressive vocabulary and a quick wit.  She was never afraid to speak her mind and was a fierce supporter of all her children.

After retirement, she enjoyed her passion for reading, making new friends during exercise class at the senior center, and spending time with family and friends.

She passed peacefully with family in attendance on December 21, 2025. She is preceded in death by her husband George for over 49 years, her father Thomas (1945), her mother Rowena in 2007, brother Thomas Callahan (1969),  brother Timothy Callahan (2021), brother Jim Callahan (2022), and brother John Callahan (2025).

She leaves behind 5 children: daughter Rowena Landon of Lompoc, son Michael Schroth of Lompoc, son James Thompson (Anita) of Idaho, son Mark Gilbert of South Dakota, and son Dennis Sherwood (Cindy) of California. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A private niche ceremony will be held in early January.

As Betty supported many community service organizations, In lieu of flowers the family asks that you donate to a charity of your choice.