Elizabeth Louise Parker

Betty was born in Portland, Oregon on December 27, 1926. Her family moved to Tigard in 1937 which was her beloved home right up to her passing. She graduated from Tigard Union High School in 1945.

Betty began working for Farmers Insurance as a file clerk in 1944, working her way up to manager of the mailroom and reception staff, finally retiring in 1991 as one of the longest tenured Farmer’s employees in the nation – 47 years of continuous service.

While Betty never married or had children, her life was full and rich with the friends and adventures she collected along the way. Shew as an early member of the Mazamas mountain climbing club, earning the 50th award presented for climbing all 16 of the major Cascade Peaks. She also climbed in Europe, summiting the Matterhorn 1970.

She was a world traveler and included Mexico, Canada, India, Nepal, Iceland, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Austria and France among her favorite destinations. In additional to climbing and traveling, Betty was a cyclist, riding in eleven of the cross state Cycle Oregon adventures. She was also a skier (both downhill and cross-country), avid backpacker, and a very accomplished carpenter.

Betty never met a stranger and had friends all over the world. She was famous for her booming, deep voice and her vice like handshake.

She was an integral member of her cousin, Duane Peterson’s family. She took Duane in when he moved to Oregon from Wisconsin and became his second mom. As such she became “Grandma Betty” to his son Andrew.

She will be forever remembered and loved by Duane, Marty and Andrew Peterson, Niranjan Ramakrishnan and his wife Shailaja Ram and their children Vinay and Jayati, cousin Phillip Zipoy (Patterson NJ), David and Jane Turville in addition to the many friends she considered members of her extended family.

A memorial service will be held at Tigard United Methodist Church (9845 SW Walnut Place, Tigard, OR 97223) on Sunday, November 13th at 3 pm.