On Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, Elizabeth “Betty” Ellen Zepeda died peacefully of cancer at her home in Centralia.
She was born to James and Ellen Quigg on May 17, 1929, in Hoquiam and baptized at Our Lady of Refuge Church.
She was a miracle child: her father was 65 and her mother 44 when she came along. Her sister, Margaret, 11 years older than Betty, had prayed for a baby sister for several years. Prayers are answered! After high school, she attended Grays Harbor College and transferred to the University of Washington where she earned degrees in art and education. After teaching several years, she spent a summer in post-war Europe.
Betty met Hank at the UW Newman Center and the two were married in Hoquiam on July 21, 1956. As their family grew, they lived in Tumwater, Okanagan, Omak, Riverside and for many years in Forks.
Betty raised nine children, and her hobbies centered around that endeavor: sewing, knitting, gardening, canning, baking, picnics at the beach, clam digging and smelting, and family outings in the Olympics and Hurricane Ridge. Additionally, she was an exceptional housekeeper.
In Forks, after her children were in school, she worked as a substitute teacher. She worked as a secretary for Milwaukee Land Co. Betty was involved with St. Anne Catholic Mission in Forks, hosting visiting priests for meals.
In 2000, she and Hank moved to Centralia where they were active parishioners at St. Mary Church. Betty was involved in the Legion of Mary and St. Martha’s Circle and arranged flowers for Mass. She was dedicated to the pro-life cause, attending the annual pro-life rallies and praying in front of the local abortion clinic.
Her gracious example of faithful Christian life prompted and inspired all her nine children to emulate her devotion to Our Lord and His Church. She delighted in her 45 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. She never forgot a birthday!
Her unflagging enthusiasm for life, her generous hospitality, her cultivation of friendships old and new, her smile, her laughter, and her love of gardens and flowers will be much missed. Her children pray and trust that she is now among that “great cloud of witnesses” St. Paul refers to in his letter to the Hebrews.
Betty was predeceased by her husband, Hank; and siblings, Jim, Charlie and Margaret Quigg. She is survived by her nine children: Andy (Anita), Peggy (Paul) Caldwell, Aggie (Joel+) Laubacher, Tom (Teresa), James “Luke” (Ruth), Matt (Monica), Mark (Katrina), Mary Kate and Nick (Wendy-Irene), and her many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Assured Home Health and Hospice, Centralia.
