Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) BLEDSOE

Mary Elizabeth (Betsy) Bledsoe passed away at her home in Monterey, CA
on October 11, 2009 following a brief illness. She was born September
3, 1922 in Palo Alto, CA, the daughter of George Henry Whisler and
Helen Bell Ledyard. Betsy graduated from Palo Alto High School and
attended UCLA where she met her husband, Albert Stewart (Stu) Bledsoe.
They were married in 1943 in Corpus Christi, TX where Stu was a Navy
fighter pilot. Stu's father, Vice Admiral Albert McQueen Bledsoe,
retired in 1958 as Commandant of the 13th Naval District in Seattle,
WA. Following WWII, Stu and Betsy moved to Ellensburg, WA where they
raised their four children on the Flying B Ranch, which they owned and
operated raising Angus beef cattle. During her years on the ranch,
Betsy cheerfully and lovingly tended her children, their home and
beautiful garden. With her gently guiding hand and kind nature, Betsy
instilled in her children a legacy of respect for others, good
manners, love of family, and service to community. They were active
participants in the Ellensburg Rodeo where Stu was a Director and
President, and Betsy was the hostess of annual luncheons and parties
for visiting dignitaries. Betsy was also active in the Children's
Orthopedic Hospital Guild, Women's Republican Club, Cattleman's Wives
Club, and Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. In 1965, Stu was elected to the
WA State Legislature, serving four consecutive terms. Betsy was active
in Stu's political campaigns, and resided in Olympia with him during
the legislative sessions. Her many friends often remember her
welcoming personality, elegant parties, and the social events she that
she organized. In 1973, Betsy and Stu moved to Olympia, WA following
Stu's appointment as Dir. of the Dept. of Agriculture and subsequent
service as Exec. Dir. of the WA Forest Protection Association. In
Olympia, Betsy developed additional enduring friendships, enjoyed
playing tennis, and visits from her family, especially her
grandchildren. After Stu's death in 1988, Betsy began spending winters
in Carmel, CA. In 1999 she moved to Carmel Valley, CA where she
studied French language and cuisine, became an expert calligrapher,
and enjoyed daily walks along the beach at Carmel. In 2003 Betsy moved
to a retirement home in Monterey, CA. Betsy is survived in loving
memory by her four children, Michael Stewart Bledsoe and his wife Anne
of Seattle, WA; John McQueen (Mac) Bledsoe and his wife Barbara of
Kalispell, MT; Janet Bledsoe Banks and her husband Phillip Banks of
San Diego, CA; and Mary Ann (Dede) Lewis and her husband Robert Lewis
of Park City, UT; her brothers George H. Whisler and Betty (deceased)
of Carmel, Francis L. (Bud) and Mary Whisler of Carmel, and William C.
(Bill) and Mary Whisler of Seattle WA, and her sisters-in-law Janet
Bledsoe Wells of Carlsbad, CA and Susan Bledsoe Gaither of Topeka, KS.
She had nine grandchildren, Beau and Brae Bledsoe, Chris and Scott
Hensley, Drew and Adam Bledsoe, Lincoln and Cory Banks and Tracy Lewis
and twelve great grandchildren. At Betsy's request, memorial donations
may be made to Parenting With Dignity, 730 Capistrano Dr., Kalispell,
MT (www.parentingwithdignity.com), a charity founded by her son Mac
Bledsoe and grandson, Drew Bledsoe. The family plans a private
memorial for the immediate family.

Published in The Seattle Times on October 25, 2009