March 14, 1933 - March 24, 2018

In Loving Memory of Betty Jean Callahan

     Betty Jean Tallent was born to Fred Julius and Bessie Mae Tallent on March 14, 1933 in Catawba County North Carolina.  Betty Jean had a beloved older brother named Horace who died many years before her.  Betty loved him deeply and spoke fondly of him often.  Betty married Clarence Eugene Callahan when she was nineteen years old and had nine children.  Theresa Kathleen, Bonny Jean, Barbara Zola, Suzanne Marie, Patricia Frederica, Patrick Fred, David Jonathan, Jesse Andrew and John James Callahan.  She settled in Mountlake Terrace, WA which is in the Suburbs of Seattle.

     Betty was Grandmother to twelve Grandchildren, eighteen Great Grandchildren and one Great, Great Grandchild.  She lived to see many of her Children, Grandchildren and one of her Great Grandchildren grown and married.  She was preceded in death by her much loved Grandchildren Christy Atkinson and Katie Callahan.  Also by her Great Grandbaby, beautiful and loved Cole Michael Tinker.

     Betty settled on a career in the healthcare field as a Food Service Manager at Eastern Star Nursing Home in Bothell, WA.  She enjoyed her career and was loved by both staff and residents.  She spent many hours of her own time helping with the planning and execution of events that enriched the lives of the residents there.  After retiring in Mountlake Terrace, WA Betty spent time as a volunteer at Eastern Star and was a very active participant in her Church. 

     Betty engaged in a wide variety of volunteer activities and hobbies during both her career and especially in retirement.  We often took her simple unassuming ways for granted but in her life Betty covered a lot of territory.  In 1984, the U.S. Navy built a base in Everett, Washington. Betty both coordinated and supervised a large banquet that brought together top Navy and City officials and many from Everett’s Faith Community with the goal of creating culture of inclusiveness.  One of her favorite hobbies in retirement was driftwood carving. Betty became quite skilled at this craft, taught classes on it and won many awards for her sculptures.

     One of the activities most close to Betty’s heart was her volunteer work for the Washington State Department of Corrections.  She spent many hours at the Purdy Women’s Correctional Facility in Monroe, WA counseling, befriending and praying with individuals there.  Betty took great joy in this activity that allowed her to reach out to these women who in turn taught her many things as well.

     Betty Jean passed peacefully at the Hospice Wing of Providence Hospital in Everett, WA.  The staff at Providence was so very attentive and she did not spend much time alone there.  Betty was very frequently visited by her children, grandchildren and snuggled with her most recent Great Grandbaby, Gage just hours before her passing.  We love you Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma and Great, Great Grandma.  You will be missed.