Betty Pailen

Betty Jane Pailen was born on June 26th, 1928 to the late Edward and Martha Duncan in Washington, DC. She married Leroy Pailen, Jr. and together they had 5 children. She is preceded in death by her siblings, John Duncan, Geraldine Valley, Wyrian Duncan, Edward Duncan, Jr., Ulysses Duncan, Florence Alberta Barnes, and Raymond Duncan.

She was educated by the Washington, D.C. public school system and graduated from Cardozo High School. She worked for the U.S. Department of the Army until her retirement in 1986.

Betty loved bright colors and was a live-out-loud woman who found joy wherever she could. She loved talking to anyone who would lend an ear. She was the epitome of “sass and class.”

She leaves to mourn her children, Kenneth Pailen, Marcellus (Lillian) Pailen, Michael (Gwen) Pailen, Sharon Durham (Michael) and Teri Pailen. She also leaves her sister-in-law, Sandra Duncan, and her grandchildren, Adrienne Pailen, Kenneth Pailen, Jr., Corey Durham and Lindsay Jones, along with a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Betty had a special lifelong relationship with her devoted and beloved sister-in-law, Doris Duncan.

No funeral services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Association.