Elizabeth "Betty" Clare Widmayer

Elizabeth "Betty" Clare Widmayer, of Walla Walla, passed away on July 27 at the age of 99. She died peacefully, in her home, surrounded by her children and their spouses.

Betty MacDonald was born on March 7, 1924, in North Platte, Nebraska, the only child of mother, Harriet Aiken and stepfather, Harry Aiken. The family moved often due to Harry's employment as an engineer with the Union Pacific Railroad. Consequently, Betty grew up in a number of different towns including Pendleton, Yakima, Spokane, and eventually Walla Walla where she graduated from Wa-Hi. After graduation she continued to reside in Walla Walla and worked at several businesses including Martin's Jewelers and Stone Machinery.

On July 27, 1952, Betty married Clifford C. Widmayer in Walla Walla. The young couple followed employment opportunities to Bloomington, Indiana and Minot, North Dakota before returning to Walla Walla to raise a family. In the 1970s, after their two children were grown, Betty returned to the workplace, primarily in the non-profit sector, as the office manager of the YWCA and ultimately as the Executive Director of the Walla Walla chapter of the American Red Cross.

Betty and Clifford loved travel and shared many memorable vacations in Hawaii, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Later Betty developed a special fondness for the Oregon Coast where she spent many peaceful Thanksgiving holidays. In her leisure time she loved needlework, at which she excelled, and created countless beautiful pieces of knitting, needlepoint, and crochet for family, loved ones and charity.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford and her mother and stepfather, Harriet and Harry Aiken. She is survived by her son, Clay Widmayer; daughter, Ann Winn; daughter-in-law, Jo Dee Widmayer; and son-in-law, Bryan Winn, all of Walla Walla. Also, grandchildren, Steven Gilbert of Portland, Oregon, Erin Corn of Pensacola, Florida, Hayden Winn of Bellingham, Washington; and great-grandchildren, Audrey Russell and Samuel, Simon and Shepherd Corn, all of Pensacola, Florida.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10 am at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the YWCA of Walla Walla or the charity of the donor's choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.