Betty McFarland Baker
Betty McFarland Baker
Betty was born in Hutchinson, KS, graduated from a Dorris, CA high school, and lived much of her life in Eastern Washington near her parents. She left us in November 2020 at the age of 85.
She was a daughter, mother, wife, and sister. And, she was Miss Dorris, her school’s newspaper editor, and an entrepreneur. Betty boot-strapped her way to success, having worked a variety of jobs from seamstress to janitor to factory worker to restaurant and bar co-owner, where she employed more than 10 people in Big Sky, MT.
Betty loved animals, so much so, that she bought a farm in Moses Lake and filled it with many unconventional pets (cows, chickens, pigs, turkeys, peacocks, geese), all of whom were given names and lived out their natural lives there.
Betty was friendly, open minded, generous and loving. She laughed and giggled often. She was a strong supporter of women’s rights, and was pleased when she saw women achieving success in business or public office. She enjoyed the great outdoors, and loved to fish and camp. She especially enjoyed fishing with her brother Clarence in Eastern Washington streams.
Betty spent her final years at Foss Village, an assisted living facility, in Seattle, WA. Her family wishes to thank all the caregivers, staff and nurses for the loving care and support they gave her.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Foss Village, Attention Assisted Living, 13023 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98133.
A celebration of her life will be held in 2021.
A poem she left for us:
When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom-filled room
Why cry for a soul that’s free?Miss me a little, but not too long
And not with your head bowed low
Remember the love that we once shared
Miss me, but let me go.For this is the journey that we all must take
And each must go alone.
It’s all a part of the Master’s plan
A step on the road to home.When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds
Miss me, but let me go.by Christina Rossetti
6 Responses to “Betty McFarland Baker”
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Betty was the best mother-in-law I could ever want. She always enjoyed when I came around, and she helped us in a few important places. She was always very open and kind to any friends or family she met, and enjoyed hearing about their lives.
She liked pretty things. Babies, animals, and baby animals. She liked flowers in all forms, and seeing gardens. She enjoyed the times we drove around to see Christmas lights. She was always well dressed, with a way of looking cute and special at the same time.
I will miss her tremendously. We spent a lot of time together, especially over the last years when she lived in Seattle. Betty, I hope where you are is filled with lovely flowers and friendly animals!
I didn’t spend a lot of time with Betty but our time together was very playful. She had a twinkle in her eye when she was trying to get away with something ie eating sweets. She always made you feel appreciated. Life is too short for all of us.
I met Betty later in her life and enjoyed our short time together. She was easy-going, unfussy and easy to be around. I remember her treating her little dog so sweetly and that made me fall in love with her character. I will miss her kindness in this world. Joy and peace, Ms Betty Baker.
Betty was my aunty. Even though we were not relatives by blood – she was always family to me. We shall all miss her. Her life was well lived and I loved her stories about all the places she ventured. As gentle as she was, she was packing heat until she went to the nursing home and I always thought that was hilarious. For all I know, she might have smuggled it into her living quarters. I wish you strength Ginny. Trust me when I say she’s in a better place now and we shall meet again.
I knew Betty through her daughter, Ginny, who always talked about her Mom with great love and respect. I know that Betty was an extraordinary woman who raise another one like herself. Betty had grit, kindness and was both fun and a bit eclectic. My kind of gal. we need more like her in this world. I am comforted to know that her spirit lives on in her beautiful daughter.
I knew Betty through her daughter, my aunt. My Uncle Dennis mentioned above how she was always well-dressed, and it’s funny, but when I remember her, she appears in my mind in a clever hat and buttoned-up cardigan, grinning and ready to head out somewhere fun.
In the handful of times we interacted, I could tell Betty was full of fire and passion throughout her life, an inspiration for all women to pursue their own dreams with the same measure of tenacity. It says a lot about a person when brief crossings can leave a lasting impact. She will be missed.