Elizabeth F. McLaughlin Obituary (1914

Elizabeth (Betty) F. McLaughlin was born March 26, 1914, to Charles Henry and Myrtle Clement Baker in Dryden, Washington. She was the oldest of five siblings who all preceded her in death. She spent most of her childhood in the Peshastin area and she lived with her grand parents in Wenatchee, Washington, for her senior year at Wenatchee High School. Betty then went to Washington State Normal School in Ellensburg (now Central Washington University). She obtained her teaching certificate and her first job was in a one-room school house in Winton, Washington, where in addition to teaching, her duties included hauling wood and water, starting the stove on cold winter mornings and chasing off bears - quite an adventure for a young 20 - year old. Some of that first year's earnings were used to buy a car and she was off to California for a summer road trip! After Winton, she taught in several communities in Washington State. Betty married Forrest Miller and had three boys: Darrel (Paula) living in Florence, OR; Wayne (Eliza) living in Corbett, OR; and Allen (Elaine) living in the Wenas Valley, WA. After that marriage ended, she returned to teaching in Wenatchee. Betty then married Selden McLaughlin and moved to the Yakima Valley. A daughter Jean McLaughlin (Ken Linderman) lives in Spokane, WA. Betty taught for many years at the Lower Naches Elementary School and she tried to make class interesting by reading stories aloud or by having her students do various art projects as a diversion from learning how to diagram sentences. Her pet peeves were chewing gum, long bangs that got into one's eyes and using the wrong form of the words 'too', 'to' and 'two' when writing. The last was an automatic X grade on that paper. Betty and Selden participated in dance club, Masonic organizations and civic groups. She was active in the League of Women Voters, the Lower Naches Women's Club and was a member of Memorial Bible Church. After retirement from teaching, she remained very active. Golf became a weekly event. She may not have hit the ball very far but it was always straight and her putting was outstanding. She said 'you can't make the putt if you leave it short'. She did learn how to use a computer when she was in her 80's but only to enter her golf scores to keep her handicap current. The friendships that she made at the Suntides Ladies golf league were very special to her. Betty's maiden name of Baker was very appropriate as she was an excellent cook and the four loaves of bread that she baked weekly were a favorite. As kids, we all had to make our own lunches. Allen and Wayne would throw whatever they could find between two pieces of bread and then at school would trade them for very fancy lunches made by other kid's mothers. The demand for mom's bread was great! Over the years she enjoyed reading and traveling, but most important was her family. She is survived by her four children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There will be a family memorial service at a later date.