Bette Simons

Bette went to be with Jesus on October 12, 2023 in Spokane, WA. She was born on May 14, 1946 in Seattle WA. To Donovan, Sr and Evelyn Simons. Her family moved to Creston, WA to work on the family farm when she was a young girl. She loved being in the outdoors, playing with her little sister, Merilee or as she got older gathering eggs with her brother, Van. Her Uncle Lyle said, “Bette is the best wheat truck driver I have ever seen”. She attended the Creston Grade/High School and was in many extracurricular activities. Her ambition was dramatics; performing in 5 plays brought her great joy.

She graduated in 1964, moved to Spokane & lived in Grandpa Walter McKenzie’s two-story home. She watched out for Grandpa but he felt like he was taking care of her. Her gift of caregiving would last throughout her lifetime no matter where she was or what she was doing.

She attended Spokane Cosmetology School and after graduating worked at The Crowning Glory & Charlie’s in Spokane. She had a gift for color, style and listening, and was loved by her clients.

She married Don Mattoon in February 1967 and they made their home in Spokane, WA. She was a member of the Spokane Mountaineers and Spokane Civic Theatre. She enjoyed backpacking, hiking, skiing, and sailing. One of her favorite areas to hike & camp was Utah; the colors and the shapes of the mountains were breathtaking. However, a Norway skiing trip sponsored by the Spokane Mountaineers was by far the most spectacular. She said,” I wanted to stay, the people were so nice, life seemed so simple there, and the architecture & views of the mountains were incredible. They skied, walked & hiked everywhere.

Graveside Inurnment will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 11:00 AM at the Sherman Cemetery, Wilbur, WA followed by a Celebration of Life Memorial services at 12:00 PM at the Creston Christian Church, Creston, WA with Pastor Gary Shoemaker, Officiating. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral.com for the Simons famly. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.

She worked in the Spokane Theatre, helping with the actors’ wardrobes & styling their hair. She dreamed of traveling with them as they journeyed to other cities but never got the chance. She became friends with the actors who played in “Fiddler on the Roof”; they would often come to her shop to visit & get their hair done. As our mother, Evelyn, became unable to live alone, Bette took her in and became her caregiver. She took her to the Spokane Fair, music in the park, family reunions and other family gatherings.

When she was no longer able to live at home she moved into Sunshine Terrace Memory Care in Spokane Valley, WA. She loved it there and made new friends. As her health began to fail, she was very lovingly taken care of by the staff at Sunshine Terrace & later Horizon Hospice Palliative Care in Spokane, WA

Bette is survived by her sister, Merilee and (Bill) McDowell; along with three nieces, Kathi and (Rich) Storer, their children Jesse and (Nicole) & Riley, Taylor and (Andrew) Storer-Renner, MacKenzie & Mia; Deanna Tarbert; Danielle and (Kacie) Gray and Henry. She also has many uncles, aunts and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father Donovan Simons, Sr., her mother Evelyn, her brother Donovan Jr and her sister Danise Tarbert.

A Celebration of Life memorial will be held for Bette in the spring of 2024, date & place to be announced next year in the paper. Memorials may be made to Sunshine Terrace Memory Care, 10410 E 9th Ave, Spokane Valley, WA 99206. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral-com for the Simons family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.