Obituary: Betts, Gloria Jean
Age 86
BETTS, Gloria Jean
On July 7, 2012 Gloria Jean Betts started her new adventure.
Gloria was born on September 18, 1925 in Spokane, Washington to Scott S. Jones and Edith Kemp Jones.
During her tomboy years Gloria attended Roosevelt Grade School.
She then went on to graduate from Lewis and Clark High School.
Gloria graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A.
in English Literature.
While at the University of Washington, Gloria was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, where she met many of her life long friends.
Returning to Spokane she was employed by the Community Welfare Federation and participated in volunteer work with the Junior League.
Gloria enjoyed transcribing Braille for the blind when volunteering.
Gloria also worked in her father’s office, Arthur D. Jones Real Estate Company.
She attended and graduated from the Catherine Gibbs School in New York, leaving soon after to attend school in Paris, France.
She was employed by the Transportation Division of EUCOM, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany.
During her vacations she travelled to Italy, Greece and Egypt.
Her next job was with the U.S. Army Special Service Division in Northern Japan.
She also lived in Matsushima, Japan where she was the Supervisor of the Matsushima Officers Club.
She later married Lee Letsch with whom she had three children.
Gloria attended graduate school at Gonzaga University.
She received a M.A.
in English Literature and also received her teaching credentials and certificate.
Gloria was employed by the Spokane School District as an English Teacher.
She also taught DECCA, a program where she won many awards for excellence in leadership.
She taught at Lewis and Clark High School, Shadle Park High School and Rogers High School throughout her career.
In 1977, Gloria married Ray Betts.
Together they were involved with St. John’s Cathedral where she was a member of the St. Nicholas Guild.
They enjoyed an adventurous life together.
She and Ray travelled to Japan as Ambassadors for the Sisters Cities with the Spokane Mayor.
She and Ray travelled to Russia, Hong Kong, Ireland and even the far reaches of the Bush of Alaska.
They enjoyed travels following her daughter to Alaska, Montana, Hawaii and Fiji.
Gloria enjoyed her times at her cabin in Sandpoint with her family and friends.
She was involved with the Festival of Sandpoint from its infancy, hosting many special events at her Lake home with Conductor Gunther Schuller.
Gloria is survived by her husband Ray Betts; her sister, Milaine McGoldrick (Jim); her children, Lisa Johns (Justin), Lee Letsch (Taysa), Scott Letsch, Clark Betts (Loretta); grandchildren, Conner and Kia Johns, Sarah and Mckenzie Letsch and Ericka and Zack Letsch.
Gloria also has nieces and a nephew of whom she is quite fond; Molly Beck, Mikki Rovtar, Anne Wagstaff, Wendy Lally and John Lally.
Any contributions to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery or the Spokane Humane Society made in her memory would be greatly appreciated.
A Memorial Service will be planned for a later date.