Obituary of Betsie Lees

Betsie LeesBetsie was born March 31, 1917 to Hugh and Maude Woodward Kennedy in Camas, Washington. She passed away peacefully on January 28, 2010 in Eugene, Oregon.She was the first in her family to attend college and graduated from Washington State University. At WSU, she was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. As a theater and education major she was involved in many theater productions. Following graduation, Betsie returned to the Camas-Washougal area where she taught elementary school. Her teaching career was interrupted during World War II when she chose to serve as a Red Cross recreation worker attached to the Navy in Washington D.C. and San Francisco. On January 27, 1946 she married David John Lees. For 43 years, until his death in 1989, they lived and raised their family in Portland, Oregon. During those years she was involved in many community activities including eight years of Girl Scout leadership, memberships in the Assistance League, the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon, the Holiday Club, the Multnomah Athletic Club and Portland Golf Club.As a woman of faith, Valley Community Presbyterian Church was important to her. She was the first female elected to serve as an elder for the congregation. Dave and Betsie were both honored as members of the President’s Associates by the University of Oregon. She was a loyal supporter of the Ducks and waivered in her allegiance only during athletic competitions between the U of O and Washington State University.Betsie moved to Eugene in 1999 and lived at Willamette Oaks Senior Residence and was a member of the Eugene Country Club. Throughout her adult life she enjoyed sporting events and playing golf; she was also and avid bridge player. She will be remembered for and by the many friends she made throughout her life and for her love and devotion to her family. Betsie is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Shannon and Rick Roseta of Eugene and Lauri and Leonard Kahl of Glendale, Arizona. Her four grandchildren, Alex and Kayce Kahl and Kasha and Brendan Roseta were her pride and joy. She is also survived by her sister, Mildred McCall of Vancouver, Washington, her niece, Jill Walton and nephew Scott McCall of Vancouver, Washington. Betsie lived a long and fruitful life with her faith as her foundation. She is now at peace and with the Lord.A memorial service will be held at a later date for Betsie Lees of Eugene, who died Jan. 28 of causes related to age. She was 92.She was born March 31, 1917, in Camas, Wash., to Hugh and Maude Woodward Kennedy. She married David John Lees on Jan. 27, 1946, in Camas. He died in 1989.She was an elementary school teacher.Survivors include two daughters, Shannon Roseta of Eugene and Lauri Kahl of Glendale, Ariz.; a sister, Mildred McCall of Vancouver, Wash.; and four grandchildren.Private inurnment will be at Findley’s Sunset Hills Cemetery in Portland.Arrangements by Musgrove Family Mortuary in Eugene.Remembrances to the University of Oregon Athletic Fund or the Washington State University Athletic Foundation.