Our wonderful grandmother, sister, aunt and friend went to her heavenly home on July 6, 2007.
Betty was born November 16, 1916, in St. Paul, Minn., to Marie and Harry Greiwe. Early in her life the family moved to Tacoma where this very close-knit family of three girls and three boys was raised. Betty attended St. Patrick's Elementary and Aquinas Academy. The family was active in their church and community, laying the groundwork for Betty's lifelong dedication to giving back to her community.
Betty met the love of her life, Harold T. Weaver, while she was a student at the College of Puget Sound and he was earning his engineering degree from the University of Washington. They married in 1940 and settled in Seattle. Harold worked for the Boeing Company while Betty taught at local private schools. Betty and Harold had two sons, Tom in 1941 and Jim in 1944.
The Weavers' interests were many and life was good. They traveled extensively and documented their trips with professional-quality photographic travelogues, so as to bring their adventures home for all to share. Betty was active in many organizations: three time past president of Young Ladies Institute, member of League of Women Voters, Des Moines chapter of AARP, Pregnancy Aid, Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and a Eucharistic minister for St. Philomena Parish. Hundreds of hand-knit baby blankets and booties cuddle infants in the community due to Betty's busy hands and big heart.
She finished her teaching degree at Seattle University in 1967 and became a kindergarten teacher in the Highline School District from which she retired in 1985. The Boeing Company sent them to Japan for three years in the late 1970s and they made many good friends during that sojourn. Harold and Betty completed their dream home overlooking the Puget Sound in Normandy Park in 1968; doing much of the design and construction on the home and beautiful grounds themselves-always working hand in hand.
Life unfortunately gives even the best of us tragedy sprinkled amongst the blessings. Diabetes took son Tom in 1975. Harold passed in a horrific vehicle accident while they were on a trip to Thailand in 1986. Betty survived the accident, but her body and heart suffered terrible trauma. And finally she lost Jim to a stroke in 2002. However, a long awaited great-grandson, Justin James Weaver, was born in November 2006. He truly brightened her final months.
We will all remember Betty for her quiet inner strength, her unwavering comfort from her faith in God, her love for family, friends, country and nature. She was incomparable and we are so happy that she is now free of her earthly body.
Betty is survived by her very much-loved grandson James Weaver Jr. and wife Jennifer, great-grandson Justin Weaver, sisters Jane Moosey and Ann-Louise Petrich, brothers Paul, Dick and Bill Greiwe and spouses, sister-in-law Margaret Weaver and many, many nieces, nephews and their children, all of whom were so dear to her. In addition, she leaves two daughters-in-law, Alison MacDougall and Donna Abraham, along with many past students, her neighbors, and so many others she touched in her life.
Rosary was held July 10 with a memorial funeral Mass on July 11, both at St. Philomena Church. Remembrances may be made to St. Philomena Outreach, 1790 S. 222nd St., Des Moines, WA 98198.
God speed, dear lady.
