Betty Louise Mayer, 96, of Rock Island, WA, a longtime resident of the
Wenatchee Valley, went to be with her Lord after a brief illness on September
29, 2016, while surrounded by her family. She was born in January 9, 1920, in
Yakima, WA, to Claude and Daisie (Wight) Lee, the youngest child of five
children. She attended Yakima schools and she graduated from Yakima High
School in 1938. Betty married her high school sweetheart, Harlan Mayer, on
September 1, 1939, in Yakima. They lived in Tieton, WA, and were active in the
Grange and Evangelical United Brethren Church in Cowiche, WA, prior to moving
to the Wenatchee Valley. In 1962, they moved to Wenatchee to follow Harlan’s
career. In Wenatchee, Betty was an active parent of the Wenatchee Youth Circus
in the 1970’s. She and Harlan were strong supporters of the Miss Greater
Wenatchee Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by Apple City Lions Club. Betty was
recognized at the Miss East Cascade Scholarship Pageant in 2013 as a founding
member of the Miss Greater Wenatchee Scholarship Pageant. She was a member of
the First Presbyterian Church, and transferred her membership to Faith
Presbyterian Church of East Wenatchee (formerly Eastmont Presbyterian Church),
where she was an active member of the Ladies’ Bible Study and United
Presbyterian Women. She was a member of the Wenatchee Lady Lions, Daughters of
American Revolution (DAR), and Washington Phi Sigma Alpha Sorority. Harlan and
Betty were members of the Boles Aero Camping Club and had sponsored RAM
Orchards Girls’ Softball team for several years. Although Betty was involved
in numerous volunteer activities, the most important things in her life were
her faith, family, friends, having fun, angels and butterflies. Some of her
final words to her family were to “remember how important family is” and “I
will send you butterflies…” Until her last day with us, she enjoyed watching
the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks teams. In addition to her Mariners and
Seahawks, she also followed WSU Football and Basketball Teams, and was very
sharp at Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Her great-grandchildren were also
blessed to have her in attendance at their events. She and Harlan established
RAM Orchards in Rock Island in 1979. RAM Orchards became what we
affectionately call “the ranch”, where many family members also settled. Betty
lived on RAM Orchards until her death. Betty is now reunited with the love of
her life, Harlan, who preceded her in death in 1995.
Betty’s survivors include two sons, Harlan R. Mayer II (Shirley) of
Burlington, WA, and Randy A. Mayer (Margaret) of Huntington Beach, CA; three
daughters, Patricia Lee Caffrey (Larry), Kathy Monroe (Dick), both of Rock
Island, WA, and Candy Mayer of Mission Viejo, CA; 11 grandchildren: Sheila
Callihan (Randy), Shellie James (Jeff), Shane Caffrey (Yvonne), Jennifer
Holcomb (Andrew Geer), Sarah Holcomb, Raquel Tatman (Jim), Katie Jordan, David
Esparza, Kelsey Mayer, Taylor Mayer, Carly Mayer; ten great-grandchildren:
Scott Callihan (Jennifer), Lisa Bennett (Robert), Erica Stanfield (David),
Sean Callihan, Joshua McKinney, Cassidy Callihan, Jared James, Lily Tatman,
Daisy Tatman, and expecting Tristan Gregory; four great-great-grandchildren:
Adora Wood, Rylee Callihan, Emma Bennett, and expecting Aden Joseph Bennett.
Viewing will be from 2:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016, at Telford’s
Chapel of the Valley. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday October 7,
2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 200 South Kentucky, East
Wenatchee, WA, followed by a graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
A dinner reception will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church immediately
following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests
donations to Faith Presbyterian Church “Raising the Roof Campaign”.
Arrangements are by Telford’s Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Betty Mayer hosted by Chapel of the Valley.