Mary Elizabeth Bledsoe

Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) BLEDSOE Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Bledsoe passed away at her home in Monterey, CA on October 11, 2009 following a brief illness. She was born September 3, 1922 in Palo Alto, CA, the daughter of George Henry Whisler and Helen Bell Ledyard. Betsy graduated from Palo Alto High School and attended UCLA where she met her husband, Albert Stewart (Stu) Bledsoe. They were married in 1943 in Corpus Christi, TX where Stu was a Navy fighter pilot. Stu's father, Vice Admiral Albert McQueen Bledsoe, retired in 1958 as Commandant of the 13th Naval District in Seattle, WA. Following WWII, Stu and Betsy moved to Ellensburg, WA where they raised their four children on the Flying B Ranch, which they owned and operated raising Angus beef cattle. During her years on the ranch, Betsy cheerfully and lovingly tended her children, their home and beautiful garden. With her gently guiding hand and kind nature, Betsy instilled in her children a legacy of respect for others, good manners, love of family, and service to community. They were active participants in the Ellensburg Rodeo where Stu was a Director and President, and Betsy was the hostess of annual luncheons and parties for visiting dignitaries. Betsy was also active in the Children's Orthopedic Hospital Guild, Women's Republican Club, Cattleman's Wives Club, and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. In 1965, Stu was elected to the WA State Legislature, serving four consecutive terms. Betsy was active in Stu's political campaigns, and resided in Olympia with him during the legislative sessions. Her many friends often remember her welcoming personality, elegant parties, and the social events she that she organized. In 1973, Betsy and Stu moved to Olympia, WA following Stu's appointment as Dir. of the Dept. of Agriculture and subsequent service as Exec. Dir. of the WA Forest Protection Association. In Olympia, Betsy developed additional enduring friendships, enjoyed playing tennis, and visits from her family, especially her grandchildren. After Stu's death in 1988, Betsy began spending winters in Carmel, CA. In 1999 she moved to Carmel Valley, CA where she studied French language and cuisine, became an expert calligrapher, and enjoyed daily walks along the beach at Carmel. In 2003 Betsy moved to a retirement home in Monterey, CA. Betsy is survived in loving memory by her four children, Michael Stewart Bledsoe and his wife Anne of Seattle, WA; John McQueen (Mac) Bledsoe and his wife Barbara of Kalispell, MT; Janet Bledsoe Banks and her husband Phillip Banks of San Diego, CA; and Mary Ann (Dede) Lewis and her husband Robert Lewis of Park City, UT; her brothers George H. Whisler and Betty (deceased) of Carmel, Francis L. (Bud) and Mary Whisler of Carmel, and William C. (Bill) and Mary Whisler of Seattle WA, and her sisters-in-law Janet Bledsoe Wells of Carlsbad, CA and Susan Bledsoe Gaither of Topeka, KS. She had nine grandchildren, Beau and Brae Bledsoe, Chris and Scott Hensley, Drew and Adam Bledsoe, Lincoln and Cory Banks and Tracy Lewis and twelve great grandchildren. At Betsy's request, memorial donations may be made to Parenting With Dignity, 730 Capistrano Dr., Kalispell, MT (www.parentingwithdignity.com), a charity founded by her son Mac Bledsoe and grandson, Drew Bledsoe. The family plans a private memorial for the immediate family.