Betty M. England

Betty M. England, age 83, longtime Sunnyside, Wash. resident passed away Monday, Dec. 9, 2013 in Kennewick, Wash. Betty was born July 22, 1930 in Lincoln, Neb. the daughter of George and Marie (Schell) Graff. Betty received her education in Sunnyside graduating with the class of 1948.

On Sept. 30, 1949 she married the love of her life, Robert England in Sunnyside. Following their wedding Betty and Bob moved throughout the northwest following Bob's construction work. Bob later worked for Weyerhaeuser and the family made their home at Snoqualmie Falls, Wash.

In 1964 the England family moved to Sunnyside where they farmed asparagus and grapes. Betty also worked outside the home, her first job was in the candy section at Rosco's Department Store, JC Penney, Yakima Federal Saving and Loan and Bleyhl's Farm Service.

In 1972 Bob and Betty sold the farm and moved to their retirement home at Badger Lake in Cheney. They traveled around back to Sunnyside, Grandview and Yuma, Ariz. for the winters. Betty was a Blue Bird Leader, taught square dancing to elementary school children and loved teaching her granddaughter's to bake cookies and pies. She loved spending time with her family in the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting and swimming. Betty treated her family frequently with her cooking and baking skills.

Betty is survived by her beloved husband, Robert England of Kennewick, Wash. Two daughters, Cathy Hampton of Kennewick and Carol Cole of Walla Walla; four grandchildren, Jason Pope, Tiffany wolf, Kari Cole and Laci Cole; great grandchildren Andrew Pope, Autumn wolf, Leo Cole and Osia Cole; two sisters, Dorothy Johnson of Sunnyside and Barbara Sackett (Lon) Tehachapi, Calif .; two sisters-in-law, Juanita Graff of Sunnyside and Lou Graff of Prosser, Wash. She is preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Reuben Graff and Leroy Graff.

Graveside service were held Friday, Dec. 13 at the Grandview Cemetery under the direction of the Smith Funeral Home LTD and Crematory.

Those wishing to sign Betty's online memorial book may do so at http://www.funeralhomesmith.com.