Betty Mae Brinkman
Betty Mae Brinkman
Obituary
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Betty Brinkman Obituary
Born April 15,1946, Betty grew up in a rural farming community outside of Bellingham, WA. Her service-focused life began early, joining nearly every club that school and the community offered. After attending Western Washington State College for three years, Betty packed up her VW beetle and worked in Seattle for legal and accounting firms.
Anchoring in Olympia for her career with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (1970-2000), in 1977 Betty completed her BA at The Evergreen State College. Betty's love of performing arts blossomed at the Olympia Little Theatre where she was an actor in several plays as well as a volunteer and board member. Her Olympia area service organizations include The Capital City Newcomers Club, The Woman's Club of Olympia, the American Association of University Women, Olympia Family Theater and Unity Church of Olympia.
Taking all her Olympia area service groups with her, Betty moved to the Shelton community in 1993 where her contributions expanded to include the Jolly Jesters, Shelton Kiwanis Club, Shelton Arts Commission, Mason General Hospital Auxiliary, Sound Learning, Friends of Shelton Timberland Library and Meals on Wheels. Her passion for service to children included substituting for Shelton Schools and most recently as a full-time para-educator at Oakland Bay Junior High School. Her value-added, never-miss-a-chance-to-serve life focus somehow also made room for enjoying book clubs, play groups and lifelong educational opportunities.
Betty was preceded in death by her father Guerdon 'Bing' Brinkman, her mother Bernice Brinkman, and her sister Barbara Tripp. She is survived by two nephews Greg (Anne) Tripp and Eric Tripp, niece Tina Tripp, great-nephew Andrew Tripp and two great-nieces Chloe Tripp and Rayn Tripp.
Her lifetime passion for service was enhanced by her elegant and artistic style, her smiling face and infectious laugh.
Remembrance donations (financial or service volunteering) can be made to any of the above mentioned organizations.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023, 1:00-3:00pm at Center for Spiritual Living, 3437 Libby Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506
6 Entries
Shannon Klasell
February 9, 2023
The news of Betty's passing was shocking and sad. I first met Betty in 2005, when I moved to Shelton and started working for Sound Learning (back then it was still named Mason County Literacy.) Betty was a huge supporter of the Sound Learning vision and mission to bring quality education to Adults from literacy levels to earning a diploma and going on to college, and from having little to no English language skill to becoming a fully active member of the community as a bi-lingual person and going on to citizenship!. Betty was funny, caring, and could sell a raffle ticket to anybody! Her contribution to Sound Learning included sitting on the Board of Directors for a number of years, and always being involved with and contributing to the yearly fundraiser, "Spell-E-Bration" as a donor and as a speller on the Kiwanna - Bees spelling team. She will be missed.
Susan Haugh
February 9, 2023
I knew Betty from working at DSHS, she was a very nice person. I loved that she would wear a leopard print costume on Halloween!!
Joyce Bryant (Seymour/Connell)
January 29, 2023
I just learned of Betty's passing. I sit here in total shock. I've known Betty for over 50 years, as a coworker and friend. I have so many fond memories of our younger years. My first trip to Hawaii was with Betty on Halloween 1975. What an adventure and there were always laughs galore! In addition, we had a yearly trek we took to the Puyallup fair to spend the day and go to a concert. It was always a fun filled day. Just a few years back we resumed that tradition and our last adventure was 2021. We didn't see each other that often but it never felt like there was a lot of time in between those meetings. I was so busy fall of 2022, that I never got a date set for that tradition. I guess I always thought that vivacious fun friend would always be there. A friend just called me to let me know. I'm so sorry to have missed her celebration of life! I'm sure it was quite a farewell! I'm feeling sad to hear this news and warmest thoughts and prayers to her very much loved nephews and niece. My best. Joyce Connell Bryant
Pat Barber
January 20, 2023
The news of Betty's passing comes with great sadness. Betty was always the good conversationalist, in addition to all of the talents mentioned in the obituary. Betty juggled many responsibilities in her active and busy life. Her enthusiastic presence will really be missed.
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Karen Berg
January 19, 2023
I met Betty in Shelton. A friend of hers, Jenni Chapman introduced us and I remembered seeing her at Unity Church. Later she began to sub as a para educator at the school where I taught, Evergreen Elementary. It was always great to see her smiling face.
She did a lot at Unity and attended many functions and classes and groups with me, including the Sis group.
I was shocked by her death, since she has always been so active and didn´t complain about health problems.
May she rest in peace. She will be missed. Karen Berg
Jon Halvorson
January 19, 2023
A wonderful servant of the people. An artistic, fun and compassionate woman. A great Kiwanian. She is missed.
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