Elizabeth Jean Grady's Obituary
OBITUARY FOR ELIZABETH JEAN GRADY
Elizabeth Betty Jean Grady died Wednesday, February 8th, 2012 at her apartment in Gresham. She had reached the age of ninety-six, having lived a full and meaningful life as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. For many years she pursued and loved a teaching career at John Gumm Elementary School in St. Helens, Ore.
Betty was born to John Harlan Verna Smith Osborn on May 6th, 1915 in Leavenworth, Washington. Upon graduation from Leavenworth High School, she attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. She obtained a bachelor's degree in science then taught a year of natural sciences at the high School level in Tekoa, Washington.
Returning to Whitman for further study, she met Edward James Grady. A romance ensued and they were married on June 15, 1938. Ed pursued a career with J.C. Penney Co. first in Walla Walla where they began their family with two sons, Bruce and Jim. Transfers with the company took them to Vancouver, Washington; Port Townsend, Washington, where their third son, Russ, was born; and finally to St. Helens, Oregon. In St. Helens, Ed completed his career with J.C. Penney and Betty, in 1977, completed nearly 20 years of mentoring fourth graders and then retired. Following her husband's death in 1985, Betty continued living in St. Helens, and then moved to Powell Valley Assisted Living in Gresham on April 8th 2002.
Betty Grady and her husband enjoyed parenting. She loved her affiliation with Plymouth Presbyterian Church, the P.E.O. Sisterhood, Priscilla Circle, Alpha Chi Omega and Delta Kappa Gamma.
She is survived by sisters Peggy Bumps and Dorothy Weaver; sons, Bruce, Jim, and Russ; three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Viewing & Visitation: 9-5 Thursday, 9-12 Friday &
Funeral Service: Friday, Feb. 17, 2012 at 1:00 PM at Columbia Funeral Home, Committal Service & Vault Interment: Columbia Memorial Gardens
Memorial contributions: Plymouth Presbyterian Church, 2615 Sykes Road, St. Helens, Oregon 97051; for the P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter BO, address your gift to Barbara Gordon, 1630 8th St., Columbia City, Oregon, 97018.
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