Betty Jo Delo Downing

Betty Jo (Delo) Downing was born on August 24, 1939, at Mills Memorial Hospital in San Mateo, California. She was the daughter of Ralph and Dorothy Delo and was raised in Seattle, Washington. She had a wry sense of humor and enjoyed sharing a good joke with friends. While some who knew Betty might describe her as an idealist, her friends and family understood well that she was always in pursuit of life’s endless possibilities and opportunities available to her.

As a young girl, Betty was able to empathize and identify with a vast array of people and personality types. This quality drew her into a diverse group of friends and acquaintances. Betty was intelligent and had little trouble getting along with her peers. In her spare time she liked reading, camping, fishing and beach combing. While growing up, she enjoyed outings with her numerous beloved cousins. Betty had the ability to find amusement with almost any activity.

Betty graduated from Garfield High School in Seattle, Washington in 1957. Betty was a very good student, and generally did well in her courses. Her favorite class in high school was English Literature. She played tennis, skied and was a gold seal member of the Honor Society at Garfield. Betty's memorable high school achievements included being co-copy editor of the "Garfield Pen" and Vice President of the Spade club, whose members worked with special needs children.

Betty earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in literature and associated women's studies from the University of Puget Sound in 1961. Later in life she also pursued graduate school, earning credits toward a Masters Degree in remedial education at Seattle Pacific University. Betty was a member of Pi Kappa Delta, a club for those who distinguished themselves in forensics and intercollegiate debate. She was also in the English Club.

On June 25, 1960, Betty married Glenn Robert Downing at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church of Seattle, Washington. Betty and Glenn were blessed with three children: two daughters, Cynthia and Pamela and one son, Kurt (Nicole). Betty was also blessed with two grandsons, Noah and Holden and a grandniece, Megan. Later in life her good friends included Becky Cox, Barbara Gates, Joyce Heino and Jeanette Takahashi.

Betty’s primary occupation was substitute teaching for grades K-12 and remedial reading. She was employed by the Federal Way and Highline School Districts. Betty retired and went on disability in the early 1980's,

Because Betty loved to have a broad variety of activities in her life, she took advantage of the opportunity to pursue numerous hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were reading, camping, beach combing, gourmet cooking and sewing. Betty was open to new experiences, learning to cook ethnic foods and taking belly-dancing lessons with friends. She enjoyed live theater, especially musicals and Shakespeare’s plays. She would often reminisce about seeing Richard Harris as King Arthur in Camelot. Betty had a knack for being able to multi-task in order to create time for all of her favorite pastimes.

Through most of her life, Betty was actively involved in professional and community organizations. Betty was an active member of the League of Women Voters in the 1960s and 1970s. Primarily interested in local politics, she believed that your local city council has more power to disrupt your life than any federal servant. Betty enjoyed meeting with friends and neighbors. She hosted block parties for the entire street. She loved having company and always wanted to hear about others’ experiences.

Betty's search for spiritual guidance took many forms. She enjoyed church weekend retreats. Betty always wanted to travel more and farther afield than she did. She encouraged her children to travel and enjoyed sharing their pictures and stories from overseas. Favorite family vacations included going to San Francisco and Disneyland, the Oregon and Washington coasts and camping anywhere.

Betty was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Misty, a white labrador cocker spaniel mix dog, was a best friend for 16 years.

Betty Jo Downing passed away on February 28, 2010, at home in Federal Way, Washington. She died of complications from multiple sclerosis. She is survived by her children, Cynthia and Pamela Downing, Kurt and Nicole Karasuda-Downing, grandsons Noah and Holden Karasuda-Downing and grand niece Megan Karasuda. A Memorial Service was held at Yarington's Funeral Home on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 10:00AM. Her ashes were scattered in Puget Sound.