Elizabeth “Betty” Brattain was born Feb. 1, 1943, in Glasgow, Scotland, to Alexander and Mary Workman and was one of nine siblings. Betty’s passing on Aug. 7, 2022, has left a hole in our hearts.
In June of 1966, Betty, along with her childhood friend Mabel, arrived in America from Scotland to begin what was to be a yearlong position as a domestic (nanny) for a family in Washington, D.C.
In early 1967, she and Fred, who was stationed in the U.S. Navy in Washington, met at an Irish pub and there began an adventure that spanned five decades. They were married in the nation’s largest Methodist Church surrounded by good friends. When Fred received orders to Vietnam, he and Betty, now pregnant, traveled to his home north of Seattle where his parents lived. On the day that Fred was ordered to report for duty overseas, Betty went into labor and gave birth to their daughter Angela and for 18 months she raised Angela by herself.
Betty and Fred started a home in 1970 and after their son Sean was born the family moved to Federal Way, Washington. In 1978, they bought a small farm in Adna, Washington, and for the next 44 years, Betty found her purpose in life as a wife, mother, grandmother, gardener, a lover of all animals great and small, especially cats, a hero to many and a friend to all.
She lived a beautiful, dignified life to the fullest. Betty and Fred spent 55 amazing years together and were always together spiritually no matter the miles between them. The most important part of her life was to be surrounded by her children, her friends and of course her grandchildren. “If you can’t spoil them with love then what is the use of having them?” She was over the rainbow with the news that she will be a great-grandma.
Betty preferred the simple life and found great peace in her flgarden, flowers and cooking. She was overjoyed cooking for four and ecstatic cooking for 40. Her enjoyment tending to her wild birds, deer, rabbits, and especially her favorite cat Otis, was her therapy in life. She found great pleasure in the activities she took part in with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and dearly loved and respected her Eagle sisters and brothers.
Fred survives her at home in Adna. Their two children, Angela Sanders (James Matney) and Sean (Nikki) Brattain survive her also, as well as Betty’s grandchildren Ashley Sanders, Emma (Cody) Shriver and Alec Brattain. She is also survived by sisters Anna, Irene and brother Billy, all of Glasgow, Scotland, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, brothers Jim and Alex Workman, and sisters Mary, Margaret and Isobel.
Betty was a “Bonnie Wee Lass” and will be missed beyond measure.
Please make donations in Betty’s name to either The Humane Society of the United States, to the Fraternal Order of Eagles Alzheimer’s fund at foe. com, or directly to Castle Rock Auxiliary, P.O. Box 698, Castle Rock, Washington, 98611.
