Betty SUNDE Betty 'Be Happy' Sunde, our beloved ray of Northwest sunshine, passed away at home peacefully surrounded by loved ones on the morning of January 7th. She was born Elizabeth Hazel Hamilton in Seattle on November 16, 1919 to Winifred and Edgar Charles Hamilton. A true Northwest girl, Betty spent her early years with family in Seattle, Vancouver, British Columbia and California. Her love of learning and books led her to Linfield College in Oregon where she received her degree with the Class of 1942. An ardent Linfield scholarship supporter, Betty helped establish the 'Class of '42 Memorial Scholarship Fund'. After her graduation, Betty followed her heart to USC Library School where she earned her post graduate degree in Library Science. She began her career as a librarian at the UW's Suzzallo Library. She later became head librarian for the UW's Business School Library. While there she met her husband George Sunde. They married in 1961. Betty enjoyed her retirement years on Camano Island where she and George had moved in the mid-seventies. Betty Be Happy's optimistic spirit infused hope into all her endeavors and relationships. She was an avid conservationist whose efforts ran from initiating recycling on Camano to preserving the financial resources of the Camano Clubhouse by spearheading the effort to retire its construction loan. After 30 + years in the Camano-Stanwood area, Betty moved to Edmonds Landing in Edmonds where her bright spirit inspired new friends who join the scores of dear friends and family who will miss her vibrant spirit. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, George, and her step-daughter, Karen. She is survived by her step-son Jeff Sunde and his partner Rick Wilson, cousin Roxanne Hamilton and her husband Mike Pinoges, scores of loving family members and countless friends. A Celebration of Betty's life will be held at the Stanwood United Methodist Church, 27128 102nd. Dr. N.W., Stanwood, WA. On January 24th at 2:22 in the afternoon. Memorial gifts can be sent to Linfield's Class of '42 Memorial Scholarship Fund, Linfield college, 900 S.E. Baker St., Unit A476, Mc Minnville, Or. 97128.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
Jill Sunde
January 31, 2009
thank you Aunt Betty for all your calls, check ins and updates. all the love you shared remains an inspiration.
“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” Frederick Keonig
Rev Sullivan
January 12, 2009
Condolences to the family on behalf of her friends here at Edmonds United Methodist Church
Beverley Funk
January 11, 2009
To Betty's Family: Camano Island will never be the same! Betty always had a smile for everyone, and she loved living on Camano. If only I had known she was living at Edmonds Landing, I could have visited her...we moved off the Island in 1999. And we knew George and what a loss his death was to Betty!
Beverley and Roy Funk
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