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Elizabeth Gaffney Obituary
GAFFNEY, Elizabeth Jeanette
"Betty"
(Age 86)
Betty passed away March 19, 2011 after a brief illness. She was born in Spokane, Washington, graduated from Marycliff High School, then Sacred Heart School of Nursing. Upon graduation she entered the U.S. Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Nursing Corps. She met and married Captain Charles E. Shannon at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Charles followed his Air Force career which took them to many places overseas and across the United States. Betty was widowed in 1977 and returned home to Spokane. She worked as a geriatric nurse and devoted much of her time to volunteer work with "House of Charity". In 1988 she married Len Gaffney and they were married until his death in 2006. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Floyd Yates, and a daughter, Patricia Shannon.
Betty is survived by her sister Joanne Ringwood (Jack), daughters Margaret Sherwood (Mike) and Shelley Shannon, son Charles Shannon, cousin Virginia Newell, and many nieces and nephews. She loved her family, her neighbors (especially the "Monday Night Group") and the many members of her bridge clubs.
A funeral mass, officiated by Msgr. Pedro Ramirez-Alejos, will be held at St. Thomas More Catholic Church at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 26, 2011. The funeral arrangements will be handled by Spokane Cremation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "House of Charity" or your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Gaffney
6 Entries
Anne Hooper
April 7, 2011
I will always remember Betty for her kindness, her gentle spirit, and her encouragement. Whenever at a family gathering, Betty always took time to spend with each of my children, and always had kind things to tell me about each of them. She truly looked for the good in people and focused on that. I would like to be more like you, Betty. I will miss you.
Rosemary Marto
April 1, 2011
We are all blessed for knowing Betty and her steady, loving, warm personality. Having a sister in law and friend in Betty will always be among my treasured memories.
Kevin Gaffney
March 29, 2011
Betty was an elegant, kind lady. She was always friendly and doing things for others. This is evidenced by her countless hours of work at the House of Charity in Spokane for many years. She and my Dad, Len Gaffney had 18 happy years of marriage together after they had both lost their first partners. Betty was a delight, and she'll provide a bright light in heaven. We'll miss you, Betty. Love, Kevin
March 28, 2011
The Ladies and Gentlemen of the Washington State Veterans Cemetery extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Elizabeth J. Gaffney for your loss, to honor her service to our country and our patriotic hero.
Linda Anne House, Founding Member
Janna Ringwood
March 25, 2011
I went with Betty, Joanne and Gena on a huclkleberrying expedition when I was 16. What a wonderful memory of the "older gals" that just has been one of my fondest memories of teenage-hood. These gals knew where to go and just how to handle themselves. I was in awe of them. I wish now that I had known Betty better than I did, but what I found was a wonderful caring person that didn't care that I was 16 years old just that I was having a good time. Huckleberry Bear stories and all. I think part of the fun for them was telling me all the Horror stories from past expeditions. I was so scared I could barely pick any berries. But I recieveed alot of praise and advice for my next expedition of "Berry Picking". Thank you for the memories Betty. Janna (Smith) Ringwood
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