Beth Beckman Kennedy

Beth Kennedy, 75, passed away July 30 2010, at home, with her family at her side, after a 29 month struggle with brain cancer. She was born on Jan. 23, 1935, in Raymond WA, the youngest of three daughters of Alice and Fredrech Beckman. After the death of her father in 1950, Beth and her mother moved to Olympia. Beth attended Olympia High School, graduating in 1953. She attended Central Washington College 1953-1956 and graduated with a B.A. in Business with a minor in Education. She later received her M.A. in Education in 1979 and a Superintendents Credential from WSU in 1982. Beth taught elementary school in Olympia and Pullman and high school in Tumwater. She was Vice Principal of Tumwater High School, then Principal of Michael T. Simmons and Peter G. Schmidt elementary schools. She retired in 1990.

Beth married Edward LeRoy Ashburn (Pete) after graduating from college in June of 1956. They started their family in 1958 with the birth of their son, Edward Roy (Buzz) and their daughter, Linda Rea in 1960. They moved to Pullman in 1961 to support Pete's seven years of veterinary school. She worked hard as a teacher to make ends meet. In 1968 the family returned to Olympia where she became a high school business teacher. She continued to support the family as Pete set up a veterinary clinic while struggling with Multiple Sclerosis. Pete died in 1982.

In 1983 Beth met Bill Kennedy, a St Martins College graduate and Supervisor with Continental Can Company. They were ma-ried in 1985. After retirement in 1990, they began traveling overseas where Bill did consulting work. In seven years they visited six continents and 22 countries. In 1997 they finished the consulting work and settled in to enjoy their dream home they had designed and built on the waterfront in 1992. They enjoyed their home with friends and family. Traveling the U.S.A. coast to coast visiting friends and seeing all the wonderful sights was their next joy. Beth loved to be busy experiencing life.

Beth enjoyed her home, gardening, playing bridge, dancing, and entertaining friends and family, boating, touring in the old sports cars and traveling. She was the most gracious, generous, kind and loving person and has left an indelible mark in the hearts of those who knew her and loved her.

Beth is survived by her best friend and husband, Bill; sister, Barbara Childs; son, Buzz Ashburn (Julee); daughter, Linda Nelson (Mark); stepdaughters, Lynn Kennedy (Dale Hedden), Laurel McMillan (Tyler); and stepson, Jeff Kennedy (Cheri); and grandchildren Randy Ashburn, Amanda Ashburn, Tailar Kennedy, Austin Frank, Chase McMillan and Kristen McMillan.

A memorial service will be on Thursday, August 12th at 12:00 PM at Mills & Mills Funeral Home 5725 Littlerock Rd SW. Tumwater, WA 98512. A reception will follow at Indian Summer Golf and Country Club 5900 Troon Lane SE, Olympia WA, 98501. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in Beth's name to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance PO Box 19023, Seattle WA 98109-1023.