Elizabeth Rosella Templeton

Betty was born Elizabeth Rosella Carey on September 3, 1917 in Warren, Massachusetts. She departed from us at 91 years of age. She led a long and colorful life. Betty attended high school during the Great Depression, graduating in Sturbridge, Massachusetts in 1935. As World War II was heating up, the United States Government formed the Women’s Army Corps in 1942 and Betty was one of the first women to join. She would be followed by 150,000 women that served this county in World War II. She was assigned to a unit that performed duties for the Air Force. As such, she flew all over the United States, which is how she came to locate in the Pacific Northwest. Betty was a resident of Spokane for 52 years. As a single mom, she raised her two sons, Mark Pinch of Liberty Lake and Mike Pinch of Tacoma, Washington. She had a long career in the residential real estate business, serving as assistant to the presidents of Sherwood and Roberts and James S. Black and Company. Betty loved antiques and was a voracious garage saler. She was known for her consistently positive attitude and keen sense of humor, even in the face of adversity. She preached and led by example an ethic of hard work and a frugal lifestyle, which she remarkably imparted to all of her sons and grandchildren. Besides her sons, Betty is survived by Mark’s wife Sabina Pinch and Mike’s wife Corina Pinch. The family is especially grateful to Sabina and Corina for the countless hours that they so selflessly dedicated over the last five years to Betty’s well being. Former spouses of Mark and Mike, Patsy Pinch and Jill Pinch, also remained very close to Betty. She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Mackenzie Pinch of Gig Harbor, Casey Pinch of Tacoma, Meghan Pinch of Seattle, Molly Frye of Deer Park; her great-grandson Mason Frye of Deer Park, Jim Templeton of Vancouver, Washington, the son of her husband Tim Templeton who preceded her in passing and her sister, Dorothy Mitchell of Sturbridge, Massachusetts. There will be a celebration of Betty’s wonderful life to be held at Point Defiance Village in Tacoma, where she lived the last three years. The celebration will be held on January 24th at 2 p.m. The address is 6414 North Parkway, Tacoma, WA 98407. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Betty's memory be made to Volunteers of America. The address of their Spokane Office is 525 W 2nd Ave Spokane, WA 99201.