Mary Elizabeth Booth

1933 - 2024

Mary Elizabeth Booth

October 28, 1933 - January 16, 2024

LONGVIEW - Mary Elizabeth Booth, known to her loved ones as Joann, passed away peacefully on January 16, 2024 in Longview, WA, at the age of 90. Her children and grandchildren filled her room with love and kindness.

She was born on October 28, 1933, in Comanche, Oklahoma, to Carl and Artie Keller. She was the youngest of 7 children. Her 2 sisters and 4 brothers called her Jodi and doted on her. At a very young age, she was good at arithmetic, and was put to work at the neighborhood market. She could work the cash register, and make accurate change back to the customers. She earned just a few coins each day, and gave them to her mother to help feed the family.

As a young woman, she went west and settled in the Los Angeles area. There she met and married Edward Booth, her husband of 52 years. She was active in PTA and Cub Scouts. Ed worked up to supervisor in a very successful construction firm.

In 1963, Ed and Joann moved their 3 sons, and the family cat, to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Longview, WA. Joann's first job in Longview was as a clerk at Bob's Surplus, owned by Ed's sister and brother-in-law. She was motivated, and took Accounting classes at LCC. She soon landed a job as a bookkeeper for Don Beattie's company. Later, Joann started her own business, Handi Bookkeeping, in a new office her husband had built for her on Commerce Avenue. She had several employees that became family. She had many loyal clients and of course among them Ed Booth Construction. Ed and Joann built, owned, and managed Cedar-T and Mountain View apartments. The office was moved to 38th Ave. in the Mt. View complex. Joann also served 100+ tax return clients there.

Ed and Joann enjoyed traveling in Europe, cruising in the Caribbean, and spending time at the beautiful vacation home Ed built at Hood Canal. They shared the home with many friends and family there and all enjoyed the harvest of seafood at the canal. Over the years, Ed and Joann treated the family to wonderful vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, and their Sunriver timeshare.

Ed and Joann played pinochle, canasta, and gin rummy with friends both in California and in Longview. Joann especially enjoyed traveling to Reno and nearby casinos to play Keno. Her greatest joy was in sharing her winnings with her family. Her weekly card game get-togethers with "the girls" was sadly halted by the covid pandemic.

Joann was preceded in death by her siblings, her husband Ed, and her youngest son, Bradley Booth.

Survivors include her sons, William and daughter-in-law Theresa of Longview, and Robert and daughter-in-law Glenda Weibel of Seattle, 4 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-granddaughter, and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces and their families.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 20, 1:00 p.m. at Longview Memorial Park Steele Chapel, 5050 Mt. Solo Road, Longview, WA. Reception and refreshments will follow at the Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Joann would greatly appreciate your donation to the American Cancer Society.