Cecelia Elizabeth Quinn was a Montana girl who fell in love with a Montana boy, Wes Chappell, in Laurel, Montana. Betty and Wes raised their nine children in Seattle, WA and gave them a good moral foundation and a strong belief in self and family. As a mother, Betty supported and believed in each child while teaching independence and the importance of giving and sharing with others.
Betty had a great love of sports, especially tennis which she played most of her life. She shared her love of tennis with others, teaching people of all ages. She believed in giving back to the larger civic community and volunteered as a coach for the Holy Family School girls teams in grades 6 – 8 and, when retired, as a reading coach to young children and as a tennis instructor in Ocean Shores, WA. Betty would say, “We welcome everybody in!” She never left a child or adult out who wanted to play sports or tennis. Along with her husband, she welcomed people to their home. For holidays, an invitation would go out to Fort Lewis or to the local Navy base inviting service men who had no place to go to come and join the Chappell’s for dinner.
Betty was not above inviting herself on a trip to Africa with the Sisters of Providence so that she could visit her friends among the Community of the Daughters of Mary in Uganda. Even so, she was a shy person who preferred being behind the scenes working on behalf of others.
At age 90 on September 13, 2012 she gave her life back to God and joined those who went before her in heaven. We, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchild, extended family and her friends, love her dearly and will miss her. May she rest in peace. Betty was predeceased by her husband, Wesley Chappell, and her son, Charles Chappell.
A Memorial Mass was held for Betty Chappell at St. Joseph Residence, Seattle, WA, September 22, 2012 followed by internment of both Wes and Betty in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, WA.
In lieu of flowers Betty would be honored to have memorials sent to the Sisters of Providence Foundation for those in need, especially the poor, 1801 Lind Ave. SW, #9016, Renton, WA 98057 or to the Heifer International Foundation, www.heifer.org.