Elizabeth "Betty" L. Haley

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Betty L. Haley on August 4, 2013. Betty was born April 28, 1929, in Seattle WA, the eldest of three children of Lionel Ellsworth Lee and Jeanette Elizabeth Jean Hallowell. She spent her early years in the Maplewood neighborhood of Seattle and summers on Vashon Island in Puget Sound at the family cabin. Betty graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle in 1948 and upon graduation attended Rockford College in Rockville IL for one year on a scholarship. She remembered her time at Rockford College fondly, recalling the Christmas when her mother sent her a big box of Dungeness crab all the way from Seattle. Betty graduated from the University of Washington UW in 1952 with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics. While at the UW, she served as President of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and she leaves many sisters with her passing. During her time at the UW, Betty met the love of her life, John Jack Haley, and they were married on July 11, 1953. Jack and Betty spent nearly 56 wonderful years together until Jack's passing on May 21, 2009. She moved to Fort Collins CO after Jack's passing and enjoyed Colorado immensely, though she definitely missed all the rain she was accustomed to. After Betty's young children were off to school, Betty worked for several years as a teacher's aide at Mountlake Terrace Elementary School in Mountlake Terrace WA, helping young children with difficulties learning to read. After raising their kids, Jack and Betty spent considerable time travelling the world to many exotic destinations. One classic photo had Betty sitting atop a live crocodile in Burkina Faso, West Africa. For many years she was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Kirkland, WA.
While Betty had many talents, her skills as a seamstress were unparalleled. Betty was an expert quilter and produced many wonderful creations. She knew her way around fabric stores like no other. Betty also excelled in making Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, who to this day remember the surprise and excitement when they received their costumes in the mail from Grandma Betty. In addition to Halloween costumes, Grandma Betty was known very fondly for the wonderful Christmas stockings she made and filled for her family and grandchildren. Christmas will never be the same without Grandma Betty's Christmas stockings. Betty is survived by her two sons, Bob Haley Jaci Hoff of Ogden UT and Scott Haley Janice Haley of Fort Collins CO, and four beloved grandchildren Tyler, Brenna, Devon, McKenna. Betty is also survived by her loving younger brother, Robert Hallowell Clair of Vashon Island WA. She was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents Lee and Jean, and her younger sister Mary Anne. Betty's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many wonderful caregivers in Fort Collins CO at Rigden Farm Senior Living, Sterling House, and Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab. The warm and compassionate care provided by the nurses of Pathways Hospice made all the difference to Betty and her family in her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made to Pathways Hospice of Northern Colorado 305 Carpenter Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80525; 970-663-3500. Betty's remains will be interred at Floral Hills Cemetery in Lynnwood WA, next to her beloved husband Jack and parents Lee and Jean. Please visit bohlenderfuneralchapel.com to send the family online condolences. A memorial service is being planned for Seattle WA in early September.