Betty Fey Thrasher's Obituary
REDWOOD CITY, CA– Betty Fey Thrasher of Redwood City CA died peacefully in her sleep on January 18, 2014, with family at her side. Her family and friends will miss her dearly. While she died officially from pneumonia, Alzheimer’s took Betty long before.Betty will be buried at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo CA, in a private ceremony. Express condolences or share memories on the Skylawn web site (https://www.skylawnmemorialpark.com/obituaries/). In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in Betty’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, where you can also share memories (http://act.alz.org/site/TR/Events/Tributes-AlzheimersChampions?pxfid=198374&fr_id=1060&pg=fund). The family will in a few weeks schedule a public celebration of life memorial service.Betty Fey (Steele) Thrasher was born March 15, 1928 in Siloam CO to William and Alice Steele, and was raised in Boulder WY. After she graduated from high school she moved with her family to Cheyenne WY. In 1946 she met Brooke Thrasher, both members of a local ski club; they were married in June 1947. In 1949 the couple moved to Burlingame CA, where both Brooke and Betty worked for United Air Lines. In 1953 they bought a house in Redwood City CA, where they raised their children, Rick and Susan. Betty remained at home after Susan was born, a proud housewife and homemaker. Brooke still lives in the same house, as does daughter Susan.Betty was a force at the center of family events, active in countless school and community organizations, and an unofficial welcome wagon and grandmother to generations of families and children in their neighborhood. Her many volunteer activities include her children’s school activities, the school library, scouting (Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts), and DeMolay and Rainbow Girls. Their home constantly overflowed with family gatherings, children, rocks and seashells, flowers, food, singing, and laughter. Always laughter. Betty and Brooke participated in many of their granddaughter’s school activities and performances, including numerous graduations.When Brooke retired Betty and Brooke took up the hobby of “rock hounding” which entailed travel to dusty and remote corners of the U.S. to dig up apparently plain rocks they carefully crafted into beautiful necklaces, bracelets, rings, and other items. Betty was for many years the secretary and treasurer for their local rock club, and published their newsletter. They made many fast friends in this group, most of whom are now gone.Brooke and Betty were members of the California Alpine Club, Each summer they hosted guests for a week at the Club’s Echo Summit Lodge, on highway 50 near Lake Tahoe. Hosts prepared breakfast and dinner for up to 50 guests in exchange for a “free” room. No matter what else the family did for vacations, we always spent a week at Echo Summit Lodge, in the process creating many great memories and friends.Betty loved to stay in touch with family and friends; at Christmas she covered every available square inch of the house with Christmas cards, annual letters, and photos of everyone’s kids and grandkids. She looked forward to hearing how everyone was doing and loved getting photos, which she excitedly shared with visitors.Brooke and Betty traveled extensively to visit family and friend throughout the U.S, with some international travel, such as a treasured trip to Australia in 1972, where Brooke had been stationed in WWII.Betty’s Alzheimer’s became apparent in 2007; in 2008, her family moved Betty into Maryland Care Home, a board and care facility just around the corner from their Redwood City home. Brooke walked over every day to visit Betty, ever faithful to his promise to love and cherish his bride in sickness and health. Brooke read to Betty, sang carols at Christmastime, talked to her, and made sure she was comfortable and knew she was loved. The staff at Maryland Home treated Betty well; the family is grateful for their loving service.Betty was interested in whoever came to her door, gracious to everyone she met, and willing to help anyone. Betty made a positive difference in the lives of countless people, and leaves this world a better place. She wanted to know you, to be friends; she did not ask for recognition or awards.Betty is survived by Brooke, her husband of nearly 67 years, children Rick and Susan, Rick’s wife Janice, granddaughters Elizabeth, Sarah, and Hannah, great-grandsons William and Henri, older sister Verna, numerous nieces and nephews, and innumerable family and friends throughout the U.S. Betty would have been 86 in March
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