Obituary of Betty W. Anderson

Elizabeth Anne Ward Anderson A loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher, Betty W. Anderson was born in Santa Barbara, California on July 3, 1934 and was known among her family as a "premature firecracker." During her childhood and youth she enjoyed visiting her grandparents, Charles and Nora Cash in Santa Barbara, being joined there by her brother and sister and large contingents of visiting cousins. The house was small, but the backyard was filled with shelters where laughter and joy abounded, and she grew to love the area, the sandy beaches, and especially the ocean. Her husband Bob often joked that if Darwin was correct, Betty came from some sea creature, a notion she never denied. It is for these reasons she chose – make that insisted - to be buried in this cemetery along with her parents, grandparents and great-grandmother. Should you share in the graveside committal service you'll see what a wise choice she made. Betty led a full and accomplished life and was a devoted disciple of her Lord, who she went to be with on February 27, 2012. Gathered around her in Vancouver, WA at that time were many family members with others coming and going as time and schedules permitted. She is survived by her husband Robert L. Anderson and daughter Claudia A. Anderson of Vancouver, WA; son Robert B. Anderson and daughter-in-law Carmen S. Anderson of Esmeraldas, Ecuador; son Lawrence L. Anderson and daughter-in-law Sasha Vukelja of Tyler, TX; daughter Mary E. Anderson and son-in-law Patrick Moy Tung of Federal Way, WA; and four grandchildren: Robert C. Anderson and wife Jessica of Norwood, MA, Carmen E. Anderson of Portland, OR, and Katarina Maxi Maksimovic-Vukelja Anderson and Boris Vukelja Anderson, also of Tyler TX. Further surviving her is her brother Chester L. Ward and wife Sally of Foster City, CA and sister Mary Adele Dowling and husband Dan of Longview, WA. While in-laws are the proper term, it is important to note that she fully considered each one as a "true" daughter, son, granddaughter, sister and brother. She had a sixty-year love affair with her husband Bob that in spite of her death is still going on and will always continue. They traveled widely, visiting most states as well as many countries on three continents. Their favorite spot was Maui. They usually spent four weeks out of the year at their beachfront condo in Depoe Bay, OR. There Betty would sit for hours just watching the ocean and the other wonders of God's creation, including the frequent spotting of whales. Their travel emphasis, however, was to visit family, enjoying their grandchildren's sporting events and other activities with the eye of being an important influence in their lives. She was also very involved in supporting her extended families and was instrumental in helping to bring the Cash and Ward families together. Betty was a devoted Christian with a strong faith that proclaimed her Lord and "walked the walk." Through her testimony many came to know the love of Jesus in their lives and she was always willing to stoop to help a child or a person in need, and to stand up for what was right. Thousands of her own funds went to purchase school supplies and to feed and clothe needy students. Once, she nearly brought one home to live, but at the last moment was able to broker a more suitable solution with some of his relatives. She graduated from Portland State University, Portland, OR with honors, earning both a Bachelor and Master's Degree in Education. She taught for a combined forty years in the Evergreen, WA and Roseville, CA School Districts where she was a leader and was noted for her ability to teach reading in the primary grades. Presented with numerous educational awards, she was also active in teacher associations and helped to lead one of the first teacher strikes in Washington that resulted in much better schools. She successfully fought for full-time kindergarten and smaller class sizes, and was instrumental in obtaining classroom air conditioning in the Roseville School District. Many years following her retirement she was still recognized and greeted in retail establishments by students and parents alike, receiving mail from former students and having her picture displayed in one of her former students University dorm room. Betty's smile was infectious and had an uncanny way of attracting people. Always honest, trustworthy and loyal to a fault, she was a true friend, confident and Christian Disciple, who made a difference in the lives of thousands. Her primary mission, however, was always her family. She chose to be a "Stay at Home Mom" until her youngest was enrolled in Kindergarten, rarely missing an event and championing her children's aspirations, dreams and education while instilling in them a sense of moral rightness, responsibility, and achievement. Today her family stands as a tribute to her devotion –all college educated, most with advanced degrees, doing well in their chosen professions, making significant differences in their communities, standing for what is right and just, and teaching their children what their Mom taught them - especially to love their companions and children as deeply as she loved hers.