Obituary: Brewster, Betty (Elizabeth) Marie
She was born in Spokane in June, 1929 to Edward and Adele Brewster.
Betty graduated from Lewis and Clark H.S.
in 1947 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Washington in 1951.
Betty was the first female Chemist at Sacred Heart Hospital, and was head of the lab when she retired from there in ‘92.
Prior to that she worked in medical research at the University of Washington, in part with the team developing the first kidney dialysis.
In one case of a child with a rare disorder that required dialysis, she was eventually able to pinpoint the protein that was the culprit.
As a result the girl got off dialysis and grew up normally to become a nurse.
After researching the breakthrough in her own childhood case, the woman returned to Spokane as an adult to thank Betty.
Betty travelled widely, visiting spots on each continent, including the Galapagos, Kenya, China, and the Machu Picchu ruins.
She also worked as a chemist on an oceanographic cruise.
She was a kind, thoughtful woman who loved animals and took care of a feral cat in her last years.
Betty had wonderful neighbors and friends who added much to her later years.
Betty is predeceased by her sister, Midge (Marjorie) Richardson.
She will be greatly missed by her family: Brother in Law Dale Richardson of Santa Rosa CA; Cousin Susan Wachter (Bob) of Athol WA; nephew Mark Richardson (Kate) of Mill Valley CA, and grandnephew Ben Richardson of Rohnert Park CA; nephew Jay Richardson (Lori) and grandnieces Lea and Erica Richardson of Glendale, CA.
A memorial of Betty’s life will be held on Saturday, August 8th at 10:00am at Hazen and Jaeger Valley Funeral Home in Spokane Valley.
All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers a donation to the Spokane Humane Society would be appreciated.