Betty Isabel (Bradbury) Johnson, 87 May 31, 1923 - Feb. 16, 2011
Born in Spokane, Wash., to parents William Edgar Bradbury and Margret (Kristvik) Bradbury. She was the third of four children.
She was raised in Spokane and graduated from North Central High school in 1941. In high school she was the secretary of her senior class and was on the tennis team. After graduating, she worked as a secretary at the Nazarene church, later worked at Standard Oil, and for the department of anesthesiology at the University of Washington.
She lived in Denver, Berkeley and finally Seattle where she met Floyd Johnson and was married Nov. 19, 1963. They moved to Liberty Lake, Wash., where they resided for 43 years and raised two boys, Courtney Alan (1965) and Gordon Elliot (1967).
Betty enjoyed skating, dancing and being active. She was very proud of her work as a secretary and enjoyed it tremendously. She later developed interests in cross country skiing, hiking, gardening, quilting, Tai Chi and the outdoors. She was very active in the Unitarian church and developed lifelong friendships there. She was always interested in people from outside America's borders. Whether it be traveling to the San Blas Islands of Ecuador with her siblings as a missionary, serving as a host family to foreign students from local universities or teaching English to local refugees from Ethiopia and Laos.
First and foremost, Betty cherished her children. She was very proud to give birth to her children at the age of 41 and 43 respectively. She was always a great source of support for the boys. She had a great love of children, not only her own, but all of their friends and her grandchildren. Whether it be den mother for the cub scouts, playing piano at the school, taking soccer players to and from practice and cheering at the sidelines, hosting haunted houses in the basement or playing store with her grandchildren.
In 2007, Betty and Floyd moved from Liberty Lake to reside in Coeur d'Alene. They spent their last years at the Coeur d'Alene Homes Retirement Community where they were cherished by the staff and received impeccable care. Betty had a great love of music and enjoyed dancing and playing the piano through the last years of her life.
Betty was preceded in death by father William, mother Margaret, brothers Leroy (Puggy) and Ray, and sister Doris.
She is survived by sons Courtney Johnson (Newman Lake, Wash.) and Gordon Johnson (wife Madhumita Pal) of Portland, Ore.; and four grandchildren, Jeremy Johnson (Ohio), Jakala Bowling (Ohio), Samir and Tara Johnson (Portland).
A celebration of Betty's life will be held from 3-5 p.m. Friday, March 25, 2011, at the Glover house in Spokane. Dinner will be provided.
The Glover Mansion is located at 321 West Eighth Ave., Spokane, (509) 459-0000.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Coeur d'Alene Homes, 624 W. Harrison Ave., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814. Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, Spokane, was in charge of the arrangements.
"Mom, you were always there, looking over our shoulders, we often didn't appreciate such vigilance but it made us the people and parents we are today. We Love you Mom."