Bette Mae Reiman Coon of West Seattle, passed away peacefully at 94
December 15, 1925 ~ October 24, 2020
From her birth in Dryden, WA onwards, Bette maintained an attitude of optimism with a high degree of participation. As a youth helping her family with orchard and garden work, through her high school years in Seattle, early work years at Walla Walla City Light, Boeing (where she met her husband Roy), and later work years at JC Penney in West Seattle, she always managed to balance responsibility with good-times and fun. From dancing as a USO hostess during WWII, to bowling leagues throughout much of her young adult life; as a young mother in Lafayette PTA, advocacy work for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, den mother for cub scouts and leader for girl scouts, and Job’s Daughters; organizing JC Penny’s potlucks and parties, gathering with her neighborhood birthday group, and square-dancing with her husband, Bette liked to have a good time and always had a smile ready for anyone that needed one. Bette was always at the helm of each and every annual family reunion, along with her sister Gerty. So many family traditions are wrapped around how Bette and her siblings showed support and love for one another.
Her hobbies included a wide array of skills honed by necessity and love. Sewing and crafting; countless friends and family members have the best baby blankets, dishtowels, scrubbies, hair scrunchies, aprons, placemats, quilts, swim-suits and costumes all made by Bette’s loving hands. She also enjoyed crafts that allowed her to commemorate and celebrate family, past and present. Bette loved taking photos, and maintained an archive that rivals that of any photojournalist. She used her collection to make photo albums, documenting the families history, annual calendars, and hand- stamped cards. Bette also made hundreds of other crafty projects given as gifts, used as decoration, or just for something fun to do with her kids, grandkids, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, or to keep her husband busy.
She was an avid baker and kitchen artist and made dozens of bridal and baby shower cakes, several wedding cakes, too many birthday cakes to count, the best fried chicken you’ve ever had, as well as freezers full of jam yearly, home canned pickles, and more than enough cookie, candies and other treats to go around every holiday season.
She was a big fan of both the Mariners and the Seahawks. On game-day she could be found cheering (& occasionally swearing) in support of her teams. She also loved to cheer on her grandchildren in any sport or activity they chose.
Bette epitomized sharing is caring. Her generosity is legendary. Even when times were lean, there was always space for an uncle or cousin or friends at the supper table. Sharing food, time, and company was one of the best ways that Bette gave her love to those around her. Bette taught us all how to live life packed to the fullest, how to walk on the sunny side of the street, and the importance of supporting the people that you love through good times and bad. {Not a birthday went by for anyone Bette knew, who didn’t get a call from her, to hear her play, “Happy Birthday” on her harmonica.} Her dearest wish was for her family to continue her legacy by being kind to one another and ourselves by prioritizing enjoying life, and making good choices.
Predeceased by her husband Roy of nearly 66 years, her 9 siblings, her grandson David Burnett, post deceased by her eldest son Doug (Karen) Coon, Bette leaves her remaining 3 children: Jeff (Denise) Coon, Pam (Marcel) Rivard, Susan (Don) Burnett, 6 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors who miss her so very much.
May your smile and legacy live on!
The family is planning a Celebration of Life for Bette, to be held as soon as there is a location available - sometime near the end of summer.