Beth Chew, of Oak Harbor, passed away of natural causes Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2010, at Careage of Whidbey, with family by her side. On May 2, 2010, she celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at Jenne Farm Gathering House, Coupeville.
Beth was born May 2, 1910, to Margaret (Mather) and John MacDonald of Boulder Creek, Calif., of Canadian and Scots heritage. Her maternal grandfather, Archibald Mather, owned gold claims in the Forest Hill district of California’s Sierra Nevada Range. She attended both elementary and high school in the Santa Cruz Mountains town. Beth graduated from San Francisco State College in 1930 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education. She married Daniel Gordon Chew in 1935, and they traveled to a number of US Army Air Corps (later USAF) duty stations, including Panama, Germany, England, Louisiana, Arkansas and finally Travis Air Force Base in California.
Beth taught many years in Northern California schools, as well as in Arkansas, finishing her career as a kindergarten teacher from 1959-1975 in Fairfield, Calif. She was proud of her education and her vocation. Beth influenced the lives of countless students, many of whom came back to visit her. Parents remember her deep interest in their children’s future.
A passionate gardener, Beth planted flowers wherever she lived. She loved animals, traveling, reading and keeping current on world affairs. Most of all, Beth had an amazing ability to turn acquaintances into lifelong friends, faithfully keeping in touch with them.
She is survived by two sons: Daniel Chew (Carol) of Bayside, Wis. and Jon Chew (Mindy) of Oak Harbor; three grandchildren: Carrie Chew and fiancé Logan Mims of Washington, D.C., Hana Chew of Chicago and Curran Chew of Oak Harbor; nephews Ed Chew of San Clemente, Calif. and Don Bushnell of Salyer, Calif.; niece Helen Chew Wurschmidt of Orangevale, Calif., and numerous other relatives. She was preceded in death by her big brother, Norman MacDonald and her baby sister, Bea Bushnell.
Private services are planned for a later date in Boulder Creek, Calif. Her family wishes to thank the caring staff and friends at Harbor Towers, where Beth resided since 2007, and her physician Dr. Douglas Langrock. Memorials are suggested to the Whidbey Animal Improvement Foundation (WAIF), P.O. Box 1108, Coupeville, WA 98239, or to another animal welfare charity. Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com.
