Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Betty Jean Rice was born Aug. 19, 1922, to Homer and Goldie Rice in Clarkston, Washington. She was raised in the small town of Weiser, Idaho, and then went to the University of Idaho. After graduating college in December 1945, Betty went to San Francisco to be a “working gal” for six months. She ended up staying for 4 years!
Upon moving to Seattle to be closer to family, she met Frederick Thompson in the Campbell Club at University Christian Church, and they were married in 1954. Fred had bought five acres of land in the south Edmonds area, on which they eventually built two homes and raised three children. Over time they helped create a special neighborhood, selling home sites to their bridge group friends and serving as surrogate parents or grandparents to several generations of children.
Betty was a devoted servant to several organizations. She and Fred were charter members of Edmonds Christian Church, and Betty was the volunteer secretary for many years, printing bulletins in the mimeograph machine. She was an 80-year member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and served in every office of Chapter EJ.
She was fondly known as “the bus lady” for a number of years, as she organized bus service from the Seattle area to the state convention. She was a very sociable person who was an election volunteer, loved playing bridge, and who helped out with Camp Fire Girls and attended Little League games.
In retirement, Betty and Fred enjoyed travel, including Canada, England and Australia, as well as cruises to Alaska and through the Panama Canal. In her later years, Betty lived at Cristwood Park and Brighton Court, and most recently was cared for by the wonderful staff at Mukilteo Sunrise Adult Family Home.
Betty’s beloved husband Fred passed away in 2010. She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Mike (Kim), Jennifer, and Rob (Lisa). She loved her four grandchildren: Michael Thompson Jr, Krysta Prekeges, Brady Thompson, and Natalie Thompson; and her three great-granddaughters, Piper, Leah, and Linden Thompson.
She is also survived by her youngest sister, Sharon Barrett Andrews; her sister Dorothy Roberts passed in 2023. A memorial service will be held Nov. 10, 2024 at 3 p.m.at Journey Christian Church, 1933 NE 125th, Seattle. Gifts in Betty’s memory may be given to Seattle Children’s Hospital.
