Mary Frances Jurovich-Bettencourt
November 1929 – May 2026
Mary was born in Merced, California and passed away at the age of 96. She began teaching in the 1940s and opened the first Kindergarten class at Castle Air Force Base. She taught for several years before changing careers and becoming an office nurse for Dr. Holmes office in Atwater. Mary traveled extensively throughout the world enjoying different cultures and countries. Her favorite destination to visit was Spain.
In 1956 she met her beloved husband Robert Jurovich and they wed in 1959, starting their life in Redding, California. Together they were married 25 years. Several years after Robert’s passing, she rekindled a relationship with her high school boyfriend, Arthur Bettencourt. On February 1, 1997, she married Arthur and they lived in Turlock during their 14-year marriage. In 2023, Mary moved to Atwater to be closer to her family.
She is survived by her brother Peter Silva of Texas, sister and best friend, Margaret Salles of Merced; and several nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Manuel and Rita Silva; husbands Robert Jurovich and Arthur Bettencourt and sister Catherine Morris.
Rosary and Mass will be at Shrine of Saint Jude Thaddeus in Livingston on Thursday, June 4, 2026 beginning at 9:30a.m. with interment to follow at Winton Cemetery District.
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