Betty Ann Mars Smith
December 2, 1931-July 8, 2022
Betty Smith
The family of Betty Ann Mars Smith is saddened to announce her passing on July 8, 2022. The only child of Samuel Claiborne and Ione Mars, Betty spent her whole childhood in Snohomish. She attended the University of Washington, (admitting it was mainly to keep an eye on her future husband!), marrying Lynwood Smith in 1951. Three children (Becky, Peggy and Paul) and four cities later (Centralia, Bremerton, Seattle and Victoria) the family settled in Bothell in 1966, where Betty lived until moving into care recently. Throughout our childhood, every summer was spent at Tulare Beach, where Betty uncomplainingly moved back into her parent’s household so her children could enjoy the beach and their grandparents.
Betty was predeceased by her parents and Lynwood (July 2021). She is survived by her three children Becky (Brian), Peggy and Paul (Martha), as well as four granddaughters, Katie (Michael), Colleen, Jenny (Jason) and Sarah, and two great granddaughters, Kaylee and Emma.
Betty’s life revolved around two things; creating a lovely, comfortable, beautifully gardened, home for her husband and family and volunteering in the communities she lived in. She loved entertaining and taught us all how to cook. She organized and hosted family get-togethers that were full of laughter and good food. She delighted in finding the perfect present for everyone and wrapping it in the most unusual way possible! She loved chocolate especially Nanaimo Bars. She and Lynwood enjoyed travel for his work and pleasure and their house was full of small intriguing souvenirs to remember those trips. She always had a cross-stitch project on the go, more often than not, of cats, which she loved. Her home was rarely without at least one cat.
Wherever she lived she found something in the community to volunteer for, such as sewing costumes for the University of Victoria theatre productions. When the family moved to Bothell in 1966, she joined the Mary Ann Bothell Seattle Children’s Hospital Guild, participating in all their fundraising efforts for 47 years, 4 as President. Every year she created at least one piece of spectacular cross-stitch for the annual auction and was delighted when bidders fought over it. In the latter years, she volunteered weekly at the Guild thrift shop.
Although I am sure she wouldn’t have thought of herself this way, she was the center of the family; the person who kept all things moving smoothly. No one can fill that place and we will all miss her terribly.
Betty’s memory started to fail her in the last few years and she lived her last year in the loving care of the wonderful staff at Aegis of Kirkland.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held from 1pm to 4pm September 24th at the Tulare Beach house. Please RSVP to 425-823-2409 and leave a message.
2 Responses to “Betty Ann Mars Smith”
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Memorial contributions can be made to Seattle Children’s Hospital in her name. She supported the hospital for 47 years and would delighted with anyone who supports the hospital.
Her son, Paul
When you surround yourself with friends that have alot to offer as far as support and talents and friendship you are such a blessed individual. It was a pleasure to be a part of the Mary Ann Bothell Guild and I remember one of the auctions in which Betty and Lynnwood were bringing in many large pieces of thin plywood for display purposes. An auction to raise money for Seattle Childrens Hospital patients was always a great uplifting event and there were always so many treasured items created by Betty. I have a needlepoint framed beautiful item on my wall which says” Chocolate Its Not Just For Breakfast Anymore. One Can Never Have Too Much Chocolate. When In Doubt Eat Chocolate.