Betty Jean Baldwin

Betty Jean (Smith) Baldwin

Betty was born on April 1, 1935 to Bernice Elnora (Strange) Smith and Conrad Archie Smith in El Centro, CA. Surrounded by her family, she went to be with our Lord on June 30, 2016 at the age of 81.

Betty was raised in Merced and Atwater, CA. and graduated from Merced High School. She had 3 sisters (Hazel Atkins, Sally Stark, and Lola Estacio), and 1 brother (Conrad Smith) who have all preceded her in death. Her happy childhood memories included swimming in the irrigation ditches, Fifi at the "red house", and "plugging" an entire field of watermelons before they were ripe!

She joined the Baldwin family in 1955 and began raising her family in Portland, OR. In 1965, Betty and her family moved to Tacoma, WA where she has lived these past 51 years.

Betty was Mom to 9 children; Jim (Danell), Vickie (Matt Pettibone), Lance, Vince, Tina (Jay Cole), Pat (Cindy), Jeanne-Rae (Ty Stuckey), Michael (George Hart), and Diana (James O'Brien). She was blessed with 28 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. One of her fondest memories was having been at the births of many of her grandchildren. And she was so proud to see many of them graduate.

She was a seamstress and loved to crochet. She sewed clothing for her children and made many "Winnie the Pooh", "Raggedy Ann" and "Raggedy Andy" dolls. Many of her family still snuggle up with the blankets she crocheted and gave for life's important events.

Betty was a member of St. John of the Woods Catholic Church in Tacoma, WA. She taught CCD and was a Youth Advisor for the CYO. Betty served on the parish council, was a Eucharistic minister for many years and sang with the folk group for Mass. She also worked with the Kairos Prison Ministry at Purdy and Monroe.

Betty worked as a CNA and provided home health care for many. She was passionate about caring for those who were vulnerable and unable to care for themselves.

Betty loved spending time with her family and friends. She especially enjoyed traveling and camping. Some of her big travels included England, Rome, and Cancun Mexico. Betty attended hundreds of concerts, never missing an opportunity to see her children and grandchildren perform.

Betty (Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma) will be remembered for her ability to unconditionally love each one of us. She loved us when we were good and when we were bad, and often more when we were bad because she knew we needed it most.