Betty Louise Robinson

BETTY ROBINSON November 2, 1922 ~ July 28, 2015 "Her special touch and loving manner will be greatly missed by all who knew her." Yesterday the Angels came and retrieved our loving mother and returned her to heaven. Betty spent her childhood growing up with her parents (Oscar and Helen Wirsching) and her big brother Norman in Snohomish, WA where she graduated from high school in 1940. Following high school, Betty entered Central Washington University. She graduated early during the war years and came to Vancouver, WA as one of the teachers hired to teach children from the influx of families coming to Vancouver to work in the shipyards. Betty spent 44 years in the Vancouver School District giving Kindergartners' their first exposure to the world outside their families. With the help of her two favorite puppets "Cubby" and "Posse" they learned many of life's lessons. In her last year of teaching, Betty received Vancouver's highest honor as "Teacher of the Year", however, her biggest rewards from teaching where when her former students would meet and share their life stories with her. Betty taught at a variety of schools in the district including McArthur, Fruit Valley, Arnada, John Rogers, Marshall, and Sarah J. Anderson Elementary schools. In the spring of 1946, Betty decided to go to a dance at the Chrystal Ball Room where she met her partner for the next 40 years, Earl Robinson. It was a whirlwind courtship and within a few months they were married. Within four years they had their first of three children (Linda, John and Elizabeth) and together had many wonderful times that all of us will never forget. Betty was an excellent cook and she will leave us all wanting for those delicious Thanksgiving dinners and summer barbeques with her delicious chestnut dressing, potato salad, and salmon barbeque sauce. After retirement from teaching, Betty did not slow down, she was a very active member with the Washington State Retired Teachers Association, The Vancouveria Garden Club, and the International Ikebana Society. She loved working with flowers and through the Ikebana Society earned numerous honors. Betty was also a devoted member of the Christian Scientist Church that helped guide her through her entire life. Betty is survived by her three children and their spouses: Linda, John (Mary) and Liz (Donald); seven grandchildren: Lou McCollum, Lucas McCollum, Stephanie Peri-Provine, John Robinson, Colleen Fujihara, Nick Crandall and Wes Crandall; 12 great-grandchildren; and one more on the way. The family would like to acknowledge a special thank you to Lucas McCollum, Crisi Bailey, and hospices care for the primary care they gave to Betty, especially in her waning days of life. We would like any and all former students, coworkers and friends to attend her Celebration of Life on Mon., Aug. 3, 2015 at 12:30 p.m. Service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Gardens at 1101 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98664. If anyone would like to send flowers for her service, Mom would love the gesture. Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Betty Louise Robinson

November 2, 1922 - July 28, 2015