Elaine Rose Babbitt was born on December 31, 1954, in Mexican Water, Arizona, to John Tsosie and Lillie Gray. She is the middle child of fifteen children. She was raised by her grandparents, Hosteen Tsosie Begay and Anna Tsosie Begay. She is survived by her husband, Roy Babbitt; her children: daughter Falesita Babbitt (Johnathan Tom), daughter Pelusa Yazzie (Gerry Yazzie), daughter Laura Ann Bouse (Zephaniah Bouse), daughter Elyna Butler (Matthew Butler), daughter Donna Babbitt, and son Lemuel Babbitt. Her grandchildren, Marcus (Courtni), Joey, Autumn, Gerald (Layna), Riley, Jacob, Sasha, Baby Babbitt Tom, Lylah, Lillie, Rose, Michael, James, Savanna, Jaden, Rocky, Raegan, Linkoln, Jasmine, Mikayla, Lolita, Brandon, and great-grandchildren Henry, Leo, Paige, and Owen. Our mother peacefully passed away with her family surrounded by her side at Verde Valley Medical Center on Friday, June 19, 2026.

She attended middle school in Kayenta, junior high school in Flagstaff, and high school at Intermountain High in Brigham City, Utah. She met and fell in love with our dad while in high school and they became high school sweethearts. After high school, she returned home and married our father on June 22, 1973. They raised a big family together and loved each one of us. Mom and Dad remained together since the first time they met until Mom peacefully passed with Dad by her side. They enjoyed a long life together and were married for 53 years.

Our mother lived most of her life in Dennehotso where she dedicated her life to serving her community. Through her service, she was highly regarded by the people of her community. When she was about 20 years old she worked for the Navajo Tribe taking census while riding horseback because she didn’t have a vehicle at the time. Later she started working as a home health aide for the Community Health Representative (CHR) program. While working as a CHR she was trained to become an EMT. She handled a lot of local emergencies. She even delivered a breech baby at home when the mother-to-be could not make it to the hospital in time. She enjoyed working in health care. When she was just 24 years old, she was asked to run for a position at our local Chapter House in Dennehotso. She won the election and served as the secretary/treasurer for eight years. She was also elected to become the Western Agency secretary/treasurer and was also on the District Health Board. She was a very outspoken advocate and firmly supported her community in helping make important changes for the betterment of each member of our community. In her career as a CHR she attended many training courses and worked her way into becoming the Supervisor of the CHR program until her retirement. After retirement she resumed her love for raising sheep to which she has sheep to this day. Her heart was always in the right place, and we are deeply proud of her.

Our mom loved traveling and would visit us in Idaho a lot until her health prohibited her. She loved sightseeing, cooking, sewing, reading books, puzzles, fishing with dad, camping and fireworks show celebrating dad’s birthday. Mom loved celebrating holidays because she got to see everyone in one place. Gathering family to keep the family bonds strong was one of her cherished ways of showing her love. The sound of laughter made her overflow with joy. She protected loved ones fiercely. She was selfless and loved unconditionally. Family meant everything to her, even on her last day she expressed a lot of love to those who called and visited her. Prayer was something she never went without. May God bless her a peaceful rest. She lived an extraordinary life. A life well lived and we are proud she was our mother. She was the best mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. My dad loved her since day one and continues to love her to this day. He will forever cherish her. She loved all and she was loved beyond measure. She is preceded in death by Hosteen and Anna Tsosie Begay, John Tsosie, Lillie Tsosie, Amos Tsosie, Nelson Tsosie and Linda Cottrill.

She was an incredible woman who loved unconditionally and touched the hearts of every person who had the privilege to know her. She was loved beyond measure by her family and friends. She will be deeply missed.