Betty Rae (Fay) Wilson Sanchez
Longtime Olympia resident Betty Sanchez passed away on November 22, 2015. She was born to Hiram “Bill” and V. Louise Fay in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 9, 1933.
The Fay family, including her only sibling, Barbara “Bobbe,” arrived in the Seattle area during WWII when her father found employment in the war effort. Eventually, the family moved to Bothell, WA and Betty graduated from Bothell High School as one of the top scholars of the class of 1951. She then attended Everett Community College and received an Education degree from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA in the spring 1955. At WWU, she was the 1954 Homecoming Queen.
Betty married Boyd Wilson in 1955 and they and their two children, Cynthia and Scott, moved to Olympia in 1963. Olympia remained Betty’s home for the rest of her life. Soon she began teaching in the Olympia School District at L. P. Brown Elementary School, and later became the school librarian and audiovisual specialist. She continued as a faculty member at L. P. Brown until retirement. In 1980, Betty married Bob Sanchez. He died in 1983.
Betty was a social creature with a warm smile, who made friends easily and formed long-term relationships that lasted for many years. She was a bright, intelligent woman with many interests, including reading, traveling, dancing, her flower garden, and volunteering. She was creative, and enjoyed theater, social events, and skiing.
Betty had an eye for art and loved books. She was devoted to her family and friends.
Betty is survived by her two children, Scott Wilson (Barb Kingsley) of Long Beach, CA, and Cindy Wilson (Bill Graeber) of Olympia; first husband, Boyd; and five much loved and wonderful grandchildren, Jessica, Zachary, Forrest, Ellie and Drew. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Bobbe; former companion, Hank Heinrich; and husband, Bob Sanchez. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Women’s Club of Olympia (Abigail Stuart House) on Saturday, January 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.
Contributions in Betty’s name may be made to Friends of the Olympia Library or to the charity of your choice.
For more information or to leave memories, visit www.FuneralAlternatives.org.
