Betty Louise Rotermund Stewart

Passed away December 28, 2017, Bellevue, Washington. Age 95

Betty on her 90th birthday -2012

Betty was born in Seattle in 1922 and spent the first 50 years of her life on Queen Anne Hill. She attended Coe Elementary School and Queen Anne High School. She graduated from the University of Washington in 1944. At the UW she was active in her sorority Alpha Chi Omega and was also the drum majorette for the UW Husky Marching Band. After graduation, she met Billy Tom Stewart at the Naval Complex at Pier 91. They married in 1945.

Bill and Betty led a very active life on Queen Anne Hill, Magnolia, and Kirkland. Betty operated her own dance studio on Queen Anne, teaching ballet, tap and jazz to many children during the 50s and 60s. She and Bill also taught ballroom dancing. Betty loved to sew, needlepoint and knit. Every year she made dozens of Christmas cookies and delivered them to friends. She loved her numerous poodles and cats. Betty was active in many different social and philanthropic organizations, Childrens Orthopedic Hospital, PTAs, Seattle Milk Fund, Eastern Star, Women’s University Club just to name a few.

Two were the most significant: Seattle Yacht Club and Alpha Chi Omega. Betty and Bill joined the Seattle Yacht Club in 1957. Both of them served as Admiralette and Admiral of the Day for Opening Day activities. Bill served as Commodore in 1987. Betty was very active in the Women’s Group, serving as President, leading the Drama Group and was the 2004 recipient of the Elaine Kidd award. Betty’s alumni group of Alpha Chi Omega, Delta, played a big part of her social and philanthropic scene. Her three best friends from Alpha Chi Omega, UW remained her three best friends throughout her life (Dorothy Fribrock, Marilyn Mathis, Elora Erickson), attending regular luncheons, meetings, and just getting together as friends.

Bill and Betty

Betty and Bill enjoyed their years at their second home on Whidbey Island, which was often the scene for big parties on the deck or on the beach with many friends. They also enjoyed boating! From the 50s through the 90s, Betty and Bill were out cruising the waters of Puget Sound. They especially enjoyed the Seattle Yacht Club outstations of Port Madison and Henry Island. Betty and Bill also enjoyed traveling, taking numerous vacations in Hawaii and Mexico.

Betty and Bill loved to entertain, both in their Queen Anne home and later at their Magnolia Home and their condo in Kirkland.

Lindy and Lindy

Bill passed away in early 2009 and from that time on until 2014, Betty lived at the beautiful Bellettini retirement home in Bellevue. She loved it there and was able to continue all her social activities, as well as make new friends.

In October 2014, Betty moved to Villa Teodora, an Adult Family Home in Bellevue. This was her “family” to the end, as she was truly loved by the owner/caregiver, Carmen Elenes. Carmen…THANK YOU!

Betty is survived by her son, Stan C. Stewart of Sun Valley, Idaho, daughter, Lindy L. Stewart of Kirkland, son-in-law, Wolf Puls, and her brother, Robert Rotermund, age 98, of Woodinville.

Special thank you to Evergreen Health Hospice Care. Their understanding of Alzheimer’s patients was very helpful.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring of 2018 at the Seattle Yacht Club.