Obituary: Tiffany, Elizabeth Hollenback Barker “Betty”
Age 97
Betty died on January 10, 2015.
A true native of Spokane, Betty attended Garfield Grade School, spent her freshman year at North Central High School, and, after moving to the Cannon Hill Park area, graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in January of 1935.
At LCHS Betty participated in drama classes, plays, and “elocution” lessons.
Fall of 1935 found Betty at Washington State College, where she pledged Pi Beta Phi Sorority.
(Betty, an active Pi Phi alum, helped celebrate the Pi Beta Phi Spokane Alumnae Association when it had its 100th anniversary in October).
Betty married Cecil Edward Barker II on June 14, 1937.
After living in Portland, Oregon, for a year, the young couple moved back to Spokane where Cecil joined Betty’s family’s business, Hollenback Piano Company.
They had two children, Holly Jo Barker Love in 1940 and Cecil Edwin Barker III in 1943.
In 1947 Cecil became ill with influenza and died unexpectedly.
Following Cecil’s death, Betty spent many years in a variety of positions including working at the piano company learning sales and credit.
She later knew her passion lay in working with children, so she returned to Eastern Washington University and earned her BA in Education in 1960.
Betty taught English and Social Studies at Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea, and Ferris before earning her MA in Guidance and Counseling.
She then returned to Sacajawea to serve as Girls’ Counselor.
In 1976 Betty moved to Glover Junior High as vice-principal, the first woman to hold an administrative position in Spokane Schools.
She retired in 1981.
Betty married Bob Tiffany in 1963; they shared 23 years together until Bob’s sudden death in 1986.
Betty then filled her life with travel, PEO, Pi Phi Alumnae Association, book and investment clubs, and, most importantly, her beloved children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren.
Betty is survived by her daughter Holly Love (Kerman) of Spokane; her son Ed Barker (Barbara) of Spokane; her granddaughter Kellie Barker of Seattle; her grandsons Scott Love (Betsy) of Wheaton, IL; Todd Love (Sally) of Maple Grove, MN; Ed Barker (Amy); Dan Barker (Anna); John Love (Kristine); and Ryan Love (Melissa) all of Spokane.
Additionally, Betty has 18 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff of Rockwood Retirement Community and Hospice of Spokane.
A celebration of Betty Tiffany’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, January 31, at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving gifts in Betty’s name to the Spokane Symphony, the Rockwood Residence Assistance Fund, Hospice of Spokane, or the Pi Beta Phi Foundation.
To view Betty’s online memorial, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com