Betty Beckett, 91, of Aberdeen, died January 9, 2024.

A true child of the Great Depression, Betty Mae Thompson was born at home with the help of caring neighbors, in Garden Tracts, just outside of Raymond on February 14, 1932. She was the first of four siblings. She attended Raymond schools, and graduated in 1949, continuing on to attend Grays Harbor Business College. She married Clyde Beckett of South Bend in 1950 and began their eventual family of 8, moving from Raymond to Hoquiam during this time.

Aside from her time as a homemaker lovingly attending to her six children, she spent the younger half of her life experimenting with several professions, including bookkeeping for the family business: Beckett’s Appliance Service. She eventually found her true niche in the support, encouragement, and advocation of adults with developmental disabilities. Across several agencies over the years, she developed a name and a reputation in this community that won’t soon wane with those whose lives she touched.

All the while her family continued to increase to 10 grandchildren, of whom she showed loving dedication. It wasn’t unusual for her work relationships to intermingle with her family, and it made her life all the merrier.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents: Ruth Elna (Odd) and Arlie Thompson, along with her brother: Richard Thompson, her husband: Clyde Beckett, and her eldest daughter: Sharon Stolen.

She leaves behind two sisters: Janet (Larry) Johnston of Raymond, and Judy Thompson of Tumwater; five children: Joyce (David) Quinn of LaGrande (Oregon), Andrea Knudson of Lake Forest Park, Dennis Beckett of Aberdeen, Lorrie McMahon of Covington, and Joel Beckett of Granite Falls. She’s also survived by 10 beloved grandchildren: Bryn, Katy, Amy, Ryan, Sean, Charlie, Alex, Amanda, Justin, and Cody; and finally, five great-granddaughters: Lilly, Dea, Zoey, Molly, and Freya, whom she admired dearly.