Elizabeth Ann Morehouse

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (Snell) Morehouse died in Richland on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014, at the age of 88. She lived in Walla Walla for more than 65 years before poor health forced her to move to a Richland nursing home.

Betty was born to Gerald and Frances Snell in Jamestown, N.D., on Oct. 23, 1925. She lived her early years in nearby LaMoure, graduating from high school there in 1943. During World War II, she worked as a clerk for the Office of Price Administration.

She later moved with her parents to Walla Walla, where she met her husband of 35 years, Merlin Morehouse, and was married on Aug. 12, 1950. She was employed as an elementary school secretary for the Walla Walla School District, working at Paine, Green Park and Edison schools from 1964 until her retirement in 1985 following the death of her husband, Merlin.

Betty acquired her nickname as a result of her and her older sister, Donna, being teased by their two older brothers in reference to the cartoon character Betty Boop. Her older sister didn’t let the teasing bother her and the brothers ceased their taunting, but young Elizabeth was visibly annoyed by being referred to as “Boop,” and hence the name “Betty” stuck with her for the rest of her life, indeed, she later came to embrace it.

Betty was preceded in death in 1953 by her infant daughter, Marla Ruth; in 1963 by both her parents; in 1985 by her husband, Merlin; in 2000 by her two brothers, Roy and Wesley; and in 2005 by her sister, Donna. She is survived by two sons, Mark, 59, of Kennewick and Daniel, 57, of Bellingham; three grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; and countless friends near and far.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, 2014, at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., in Walla Walla, followed by a brief graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla.