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Betty Karagianes
02/01/1937 — 04/19/2026
From Richland, WA
Betty Karagianes
Betty Karagianes passed away peacefully in her home on April 19, 2026, at the age of 89.
She was born on February 1, 1937, in the Northern Plains town of Lorraine, ND. As a toddler she
moved with her family to Portland, OR and then to Payette, ID where she graduated from high school
in 1955.
After graduation Betty moved to Boise, ID where she would meet the love of her life, Manuel. She
always recalled that it was a case of love at first sight, and they were married on April 26th, 1957. Over
the next decade they would have 3 children, finish college, start a career, and finally settle in Richland,
WA where they would build a full and rich life with their family.
Betty was a true presence in her community. She volunteered constantly, taught sewing courses
wherever she could, loved her church, and was always ready to provide a helping hand to whomever
needed it. She was a force of nature: passionate, funny, creative, strident and yes opinionated. More
than one conversation would end with someone declaiming, “Oh Betty” or “Oh Mom” or “Oh Yiayia”.
Betty is survived by her sister, Sharlene of Boise, ID, her three children: Kristina of Brookings, OR;
Susan and her partner Brian of Ridgefield, WA; and Tom and his wife Nozipho of Seattle. She also is
survived by her granddaughter, Tembi of Seattle. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents,
and sister.
She will be missed dearly by all who knew her or had the pleasure to be in her company including her
extended family from as far away as South Africa and Eswatini. The world is a much less happy place
without you Yiayia.
So sorry for your loss, Tom.
Our wonderful and ever so vibrant Yiayia has left us on earth with all the best memories replaying in our heads. Betty had the heart and spirit of a warm loving nurturing mother figure. Every visit she took to come to eswatini to visit us was never taken for granted. Her age was just a number because wow could she have fun!!! I will never forget her smile , her laugh and her way of always being a help wherever was needed. We are all truly blessed to have been able to experience her here on this Earth. I find peace in knowing she is finally reunited with all our loved ones that have passed on. We have lost a mother but heaven has indeed gained a truly magnificent angel. Until we meet again YiaYia ….
Yiayia,
It was a great pleasure and honor to know and spend time with you. Your strong character left footprints in my life. You inspired us to be independent and good women. I learned a lot from your wisdom.
I am yet to meet such a loving mother in law. A woman of such grace and glory. I can only aspire to grow up to be like you.
May your spirit shine over your family from above.
🥰 Rest well, dear angel 😇 rest in power from all the heartaches, trials, losses and disappointments of this world. May all the love ❤️ joy and laughter you freely gave be the multiplied reward that you receive as you reunite with your loved ones that left before you… hope to also join you in the sweet by and by 💜 💓 💖 💕 💗
Dearest Yiayia ❤️ 😍 💖 words alone cannot adequately describe the wonderful, sweet, caring, generous, funny, comforting and affirming person you were; especially in my life and that of my dearly departed mom, Thie. If she was still here (in the land of the living) I know for sure she would be utterly devastated, so in all things God works together for good… You really loved us genuinely, unconditionally and whole- heartedly and never failed to adorably demonstrate this in so many awesome ways. As such, your leaving this physical world has left me all the poorer. 😔 😟 🙁 😥 😞 I do hope that you gave my mom and gran, the two most wonderful women I was blessed to have in my life, a warm and long hug 🫂 from me if you happen to have caught a glimpse of them… 😉 😘
I used to enjoy our lengthy chats across the miles; filled with much narration, jabs and laughs at all pertinent and sundry issues. You didn’t mince words and always called a spade exactly that, there were never any farming implements with you! 😃 😀 😄 😁 🤣 😂 Then you’d say, “let me let you go, sweetie” and I knew we were done talking till next time!
You were such an inspiration ✨️ to me and exemplified a life well lived, despite any loss, disappointment or heartbreak incurred along the way. You were always a ray of sunshine and a source of pure joy.❤️ 💖 💙 💛 ♥️ 💗
I could go on forever 🫶🏽, but suffice to say: rest well, rest easy and rest in power my dear angel. Your kind works will forever be remembered by me and my son Melokuhle. Hopefully we shall meet again on the sweet by and by!
Morning aunty
Dearly missed
And always remembered
As someone that lived
And never pretended
Someone bold and strong
That stood on her values
But sweet and kind
With a sensitive mind
Aunty Betty brought hope
Wherever she passed
To live ,to learn,to love and to grasp
She loved with her heart so genuinely
You felt it through her energy
Wether she said it or not
Her beautiful presence you never forgot
An amazing woman who was strong and courageous
Who lived her life through most of the ages
Perhaps as we all dream to do
As I live mine and you, yours too
I’m sure she had faults
As we all do
But an Angel on earth
And in Heaven too
I’m sorry for the loss of
Such a beautiful soul
She broke the mold
And taught us to grow
To live Our lives,to the very best
Before God calls, us all to rest
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Psalm 46:10
Be still and know that I am God.
My deepest condolences to uncle Manuel, Betty’s Family,Friends and all those whose lives she touched 🫂💕
You will be missed a lot!
So many great memories of Betty. A wonderful friend and neighbor. After we moved away she came to TN to visit and we traveled to Charleston SC together. She was so kind to our family and we were so lucky to have her in our life. Such a special lady.
My condolences to the family
My heart is heavy with the loss of my dear mother in law Betty. Our relationship was a wonderful mix of mother/daughter and friend for which I will always cherish. Betty’s love, kindness, wittiness and laughter will be missed. May your lovely soul rest peacefully Yiayia.
Forever love and gratitude.
Every breath we take,you will always be with us YaYa at eswatini. Rest in peace. You will be missed and never forgotten. Love you
Dear Yiayia Betty,
Though we were distant, your place in our family in Swaziland was never forgotten. Thank you for the love and legacy you passed down through the generations. Rest peacefully, and may your memory be a blessing.
XOXO
Nyandza Girl
Betty you’ll be greatly missed
by us the Bujela family in Eswatini. You brought love,laughter and peace in our lives your free spirited soul made us unite in such a wonderful way. your constant visits showed us that your unconditional love was spread all over the world ,you accepted your daughter – in law (Nozipho ) as your 3rd daughter into your family taught her a
alot of things never judged her gave support we witnessed it all. Part of your loving soul will remain in us for the rest of our lives.
May your soul RIP
Our neighbor when she, Manuel and children lived across the street from us. She was a lovely, kind and very funny lady. my sincerest sympathy to her family.
Guestbook for
Betty Karagianes