Elizabeth “Betty” Loraine Giles, a cherished member of the Arcadia community, passed away at the age of 99 on October 1, 2025. Born on June 28, 1926, in Pasadena, California, Betty was the daughter of Myrtle and Langley Goodman and grew up in nearby Altadena. She was deeply involved in her community and dedicated her life to family, education, and volunteer work.
Betty attended several local schools, including Luther Burbank Elementary, Eliot Junior High, and PJC High School. Her educational journey continued at the University of Southern California (USC), where she met her future husband, Charles Giles. An active member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, she formed lifelong friendships during her college years.
For a remarkable 60 years, Betty made Arcadia her home, where she raised three daughters: Justine Giles, Leslie Anderson, and Alison Arcadi, who preceded her in death. Betty’s passions included sewing, needlework, and travel, which she enjoyed alongside her community service.
Her commitment to helping others was evident through her extensive volunteer work. Betty dedicated her time to various organizations, including the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), Girl Scouts, the Arcadia Assistance League-Las Alas Auxiliary, and the Pasadena Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Chapter. She also contributed to the San Gabriel Valley Alumnae Panhellenic Association.
Betty’s legacy is carried on by her surviving family members, including her daughters, son-in-law Michael Arcadi, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren are: James Arcadi (married to Allison), Breanna LaDoucer (married to William), Joseph Arcadi (married to Tiffany), Christopher Anderson (married to Jacqueline), and Alyssa Boyd (married to Nathaniel). The great-grandchildren include Dominic, Clare, and Simeon Arcadi, Norah LaDoucer, Lilly and Corban Boyd, Aspen Arcadi, and Brynn Anderson.
A family service will take place at Live Oak Memorial Park on November 24, 2025. This will be followed by an open reception at Westminster Gardens Retirement Community, located at 1420 Santo Domingo Avenue, Duarte, California. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Betty’s honor to the Church of the Transfiguration in Arcadia, the Westminster Gardens Benevolence Fund in Duarte, or the American Red Cross.
Betty Giles will be remembered not only for her contributions to her family but also for her unwavering dedication to her community. Her spirit of service and love for others left a profound impact that will continue to resonate in the lives she touched.