Betty Sarvis died peacefully in her sleep on July 20, 2020 at age 96 after complications from pneumonia. She lived a long and beautiful life and was known for her cheerful and loving manner and her boundless energy.
Born Beatrice Elizabeth Post in 1924, Betty’s first home was a houseboat on Lake Union. Most of her childhood was spent in Bellingham, Wash., with her mother and loving grandparents.
Moving to Sumas, Wash., at age 14 she met her life’s love, Bob Sarvis. The two took lead roles in school activities and graduated in 1942 after America had entered the war. The following year they went to college. Bob enlisted in the Air Corps and after he entered active service the town pulled together a wedding for Betty in just four days before Bob flew to Europe to serve as a pilot.
After the war, they headed back to college at Western Washington, with Betty working in the bookstore to support them as Bob earned a teaching certificate. They started a family and moved to Edmonds, Wash., building a house just blocks from the town center. They had three sons, Greg, Brian, and Bruce. Her sons adored her — Mom was loads of fun. She had a giggle and a sparkle in her eyes that was contagious. She loved following the news and family dinners were often punctuated by her exclamations about “what those jokers in Washington, D.C. were doing.”
When the family moved to UC Berkeley in California for Bob to pursue a doctorate, Betty provided much of the family support working as an executive assistant for a company marketing business machines. When the family returned to Edmonds, Betty was a talented office manager for the maintenance department of Edmonds School District.
Betty was a wonderful mother, caring sister, and loving grandparent. She virtually glowed with enthusiasm and delight, always genuinely interested in what people had to say. It was her nature to put others first.
Betty skied and enjoyed snowbird winters, outings in the travel trailer, and boating with the family. After her retirement, she and Bob (and the boat) moved to Whidbey Island, Wash., where she lived for the past 30 years. She enjoyed island life-the friendly people, the wonderful views, watching the ships pass by, the wild raptors and animals (even the “naughty deer” who ate her flowers). She had a keen financial sense and enjoyed investing in the stock market. In later years, she became an avid quilter with friends who liked to quilt.
Betty was married to Robert “Bob” E. Sarvis for 67 years, until his death on July 21, 2011. If asked, she would want others to know that loving Bob was the greatest part of her life. They lived a true love story, witnessed by those blessed to have been in their light. Throughout Betty’s life, her heart was full of kindness and a positive attitude, greeting her family even in her final days with a big smile of delight.
Betty is survived by her sons, Greg Sarvis (Sandy), Brian Sarvis (Ann) and Bruce Sarvis (Tom); brother, Gary Bishop (Connie); grandchildren, Brock Sarvis (Christy), Garin Sarvis (Jessica), Brie Sarvis (Frank), Justin Sarvis (Joanna), Ryan Sarvis (Krista); and great grandchildren, Eliana, Brody, Victoria, Emily, Beatrice, Violetta, Jacob, Sloane, and Jude. She was also loved by an abundance of step-grandchildren and their children.
The family will have a small service to celebrate Betty’s love and life. Donations can be made in her memory to one of her favorite places, Meerkerk Gardens on Whidbey Island. Betty loved rhododendrons.
