Betty Bennett  

Betty was born September 7, 1933 on Labor Day in Dallas, Texas to Robert and Jewell George. Even though the family had recently moved to Dallas from Broken Bow, Oklahoma and then moved again when Betty was three to Kelso, Washington, she always called herself a Texan. Despite being raised in the Depression during hard times, she always said she had a happy childhood, because her parents loved her and her siblings. Her family loved to go on outings to Long Beach and Mt. St. Helens. They eventually were able to buy a 3-acre farm and gave away fresh produce to homesick soldiers in army convoys during World War II.

Betty graduated in 1952 from Kelso High School. She became a secretary for a short time and then got married at nineteen to Richard Bennett. The marriage lasted twenty years and produced two children, Jeanette and Arthur, whom she doted on. They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1962, where Betty remained the rest of her life. When her children had grown she went back to work and eventually wound up at the Fast Flux Test Facility at Hanford, where she was a computer clerk and unofficial moral officer for many years. Everyone there knew her as “Betty Boop.”

Betty loved to oil paint, make jewelry (which she gave away) and crocheting. She crocheted countless caps for the military and Cancer Center. She was well known for her generosity and sense of humor. She was called “mom” by more than just her own kids.

Betty is survived by her children, Arthur Bennett and Jeanette Bennett-Farley and son-in-law, Mike Farley; her step daughter, Diane Granito; her step grandchildren, Chase Granito and Danielle Melbihess and step great grandson, Ramsey Melbihess. However, Betty never considered them “step children” but her own. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Yockey; sisters-in-law, Wilma George and Emma George; and countless nieces and nephews. Betty is now in heaven with her parents as well as her three brothers, Robert, Donald and Carl (Billy) George.

Betty did not want a funeral or a burial. She wished to be cremated and had made the arrangements ahead of time. She requested her ashes be scattered in the Pacific Ocean, so next time you see a sunset, think of her.