Betty Lou McCarty Eldred

1921 - 2017

Betty Lou McCarty Eldred

Betty Eldred passed away September 28, 2017 at her home at The Kenney in West Seattle. She was 96.

Betty was born on a farm outside Springfield, Illinois the 8th of January, 1921 to William Thomas McCarty and Nellie Rose Parman. The youngest of six siblings, Betty loved learning and sports. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a star athlete. After high school, Betty became one of the first women to play semiprofessional sports. Betty pitched softball for Curlee Clothing in St Louis and then in Peoria for the Caterpillar

Tractor Co. Dieselettes. Betty's outstanding pitching career was recognized in 2011 when several Major League Baseball All Star players presented her with her own replica MLB "Golden Glove" award!

In 1941, Betty followed two of her big sisters to Washington State where began her life long love affair with the mountains and the outdoors. In 1942 Betty married George W. (Bill) Eldred. As they adjusted to Bill's work with the Boeing Co., a growing family and the war years, the couple lived in Tacoma, Burien, Seattle, and Moses Lake, before settling in West Seattle. As their kids started school, Betty was active in their school and her community. She initiated a volunteer support program at Madigan Army Hospital, getting a local dairy to donate ice cream and organizing neighbors-baking and delivering of goodies to recovering soldiers. The goodie boxes that she took to Madigan began a tradition of holiday baking and candy making in which elaborate treats were always anticipated by neighbors, teachers, co-workers, mailmen, and just about everyone in Betty's community.

With kids in school, Betty began a significant 13 year career with the Camp Fire Girls in which she went from group leader to District Director and Board member. In addition to being fully involved (leading after school programs, running summer day-camp, and supporting Camp Sealth), Betty worked to motivate and inspire civic responsibility and leadership among girls. She brought leaders from business, sports, and spiritual communities together into workshops to educate and motivate young women toward lives of leadership and service. From camping to conferences, to fifty-five mile backpack trips, Betty pioneered non-traditional opportunities for girls.

Betty also became a bowler. She wrote that she never quite made the transition from fast-pitch softball to bowling! At least two bowling pins (shattered by her ball) came home with her from the alleys. Betty quickly became an ace league bowler, winning numerous league championships with multiple teams. But her aggressive delivery ultimately resulted in "tennis elbow" and Betty had to give it up.

As their children went off to college, Betty and Bill bought a cabin on the Skykomish River near Baring and became snow-birds; wintering in Mesa, Arizona. The cabin was Betty's home in the mountains and became the site of numerous and memorable extended family gatherings. Kids, relatives and their friends were all welcomed as part of Betty's family. When Bill passed away in 1998, Betty continued to live in her mountain home for another 9 years. After being snowed in once too often, she moved to the Kenney in West Seattle, just a few blocks from the home where she raised her family.

Betty was preceded in death by her siblings and her husband Bill (G.W. Eldred). She is survived by daughter Beth Davis (Scott) of Burien, son Bill Eldred (Stephanie) of Rangiora, NZ. And son Jim Eldred (Dena) of Benson, NC. Betty also is survived by six grandchildren (Bruce Davis, Gwen Davis, Michael Eldred, Kim Eldred, David Eldred, and Jeff Eldred), nine great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews and the many others whose lives she touched.

Betty was a force of life-the epitome of "can do!" Whether it was bringing together community leaders, learning physical therapy to support a friend, mountaineering, or laying concrete at the cabin, Betty could do it. Betty's energy, civic awareness, sense of fairness and personal responsibility impacted all she met.

Friends and family are warmly invited to a memorial for Betty followed by a reception on Saturday October 28 at 3:00 P.M. at the Kenney (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle, 98136).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The National Park Foundation online or at:

The National Park Foundation

1110 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 200,

Washington, D.C. 29995

Betty's family expresses their thanks and appreciation to the Kenney staff who befriended, ministered to and cared for Betty over the last 10 years of her life. Special thanks to Synergy care givers Frances and Amina as well as to her beautician Cindy. You all helped make Betty's journey better. Please sign Betty's online Guestbook at www.Legacy.com.