On Dec. 1, 2004, at the age of 85, Betty Freund sent a letter to The Seattle Times. Referring to Reverend Dale Turner, a Times columnist, Betty wrote: “I send my thanks to the Seattle Times for their wisdom to recognize the genius in this minister who could speak to us as we stumble on with hopes for a peaceful world.”
In her files, a copy of her letter was attached to the article that Rev. Turner wrote for the Saturday edition published on Nov. 13, 2004. The topic of the article — the role of the “accompanist” — is worth noting in this obituary for Betty Freund.
After attending a concert in which the accompanist to a tenor soloist gained Turner’s admiration, Turner wrote: “Giving the support that enables another to succeed is one of the finest expressions of humility, love and unselfishness.”
Turner concluded his essay with an excerpt from Oliver Goldsmith’s poem, “The Deserted Village”:
“Unpracticed he to fawn, or seek for power,
By doctrines fashioned to the varying hour;
For other aims his heart had learned to prize,
More skilled to raise the wretched than to rise.”
Elizabeth (Betty) Murdoch Freund was born May 1, 1919, in Spokane. She died Aug. 16 at Whidbey General Hospital in Coupeville. During the time between her birth and her death, Betty served her family, her community and the world.
In 1936, Betty graduated from high school and moved from Spokane to Pullman. While in Pullman, she met Arnold Freund, the man who would become her husband 10 years later. In 1946, after Betty had finished her degree in nursing, Betty and Arnold married and moved to Oak Harbor to run the Freund family farm. On the farm, Betty learned to drive a tractor, handle knives and can peaches. Her family and the residents of Oak Harbor were the “tenor soloists” for whom Betty became “the accompanist.”
While living in Oak Harbor and raising four children, Betty offered her services to the members of the community through many venues including the Oak Harbor First Methodist Church, the Oak Harbor Help House, the North Whidbey Family Planning Council (which became a Planned Parenthood affiliate), UNICEF, the North Whidbey Food Co-op, the League of Women Voters, Oak Harbor’s Off Campus school and the Hands-Off-Washington campaign.
In addition, Betty worked with Girl Scout, Cub Scout, 4-H and Campfire Girl groups. Betty helped young people enter and leave Job Corps centers through her work with WIC (Women, Infants and Children supplemental nutrition program) and JACS (Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services). She was a member of ASSET (the Association for Sexuality Education and Training). She was a member of NOW (the National Organization for Women). And she was an indefatigable teacher, activist and feminist.
Betty Freund worked continuously, courageously and humbly for a “peaceful world.” And she remained hopeful that education-driven change would create a better place for all living on our fragile planet.
Betty enriched and will continue to inspire the lives of her children, Nancy Freund, Carl Freund (Karla), Janet Freund, and Sally Freund; her grandchildren, Elysha Diaz (Eliot Guthrie) and Helen Freund (Richard Webster) and Dustin Freund (Katie Ralph); and her great-grandchild, Quil Rose Diaz Guthrie.
In addition, she will be remembered by all who were also touched by her humility, love and unselfishness.
The family suggests donations to:
The League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island
Po Box 1933
Oak Harbor, WA
98277
lwv.whidbey@gmail.com
The league of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
The community of Oak Harbor is invited to a celebration of life for Betty Freund from noon to 3 p.m., Oct. 11, at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. Please come and honor her story.
