Betty M. Speck, 84
Betty M. Speck, 84, resident of Hayden, Idaho, passed away Feb. 18, 2010, at Loyalton of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, surrounded by family. She was born Dec. 12, 1925, in Rathdrum, Idaho, to John Henry “Hank” and Pearl (Duncan) Monk.
Betty moved to Newport, Wash., at an early age and graduated from Newport High School as valedictorian. She attended Eastern Washington University where she met her future husband. Betty married Robert W. Speck on Sept. 4, 1948, in Spokane, Wash. They resided in several areas throughout the U.S. and made many close and lasting friendships everywhere they lived.
They moved to the Coeur d’Alene area in 1972 and have lived for 15 years in Leisure Park in Hayden before moving into the Loyalton, Coeur d’Alene, in 2008.
Betty was a devoted, supportive, loving wife and mother. She worked for many years at Interstate Typewriter as a bookkeeper. She was an active member of St. Pius X Catholic Church; an avid duplicate bridge player and director, achieving Life Master status. She loved reading murder mysteries, knitting, sewing, painting and traveling. She found great joy in looking at the shapes and shades of a cloudy sky, the rock formations of the Southwest, and the green treed mountains of her Northwest home. Betty had a brilliant spirit that shone through her sparkling eyes and her beautiful smile. She was kind, generous, thoughtful and courageous.
Betty was an insulin-dependent diabetic for 60 years as well as a breast cancer survivor.
Betty is survived by her husband, Robert at home; two sons: Thomas and wife Michele Speck of Spokane, Paul and wife Jody Speck of Bothell, Wash.; one daughter: Amy Speck and partner Laurie Campbell of Midway, Utah; three granddaughters: Teresa and husband Eric Smith of Spokane; Victoria “Tori” Speck and Bethany “Beth” Speck of Bothell; two step-grandsons: Carl Magerle of Central Point, Ore., and Scott Magerle of Portland, Ore.; three great-grandsons “The Three B’s”: Brandon, Boston, and Ben Smith of Spokane; sister Elvera Quintero, Elko, Nev.; brother Frank and wife Carol Monk of Newport; and sisters-in-law: Nancy Monk of Newport, and Shirley Swann Edwards of Richland, Wash.; brother-in-law Richard (Dick) Speck of Medical Lake, Wash.; and numerous nieces and nephews in California, Colorado, Idaho and Washington, and countless friends all over the country.
She is preceded in death by her parents; sister Goldie Swain and brother Ted Monk.
Our lives are better for knowing her. She will be greatly missed.
Memorial contributions can be made to Auburn Crest Hospice, 1810 E. Schneidmiller Drive, Suite 140, Post Falls, ID 83854.
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 625 E. Haycraft Ave., Coeur d’Alene. English Funeral Chapel, Coeur d’Alene, is in care of the arrangements.
Please sign Betty’s guest registry and view online her memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.