Obituary of Betty Ackerman Smith
Betty Ackerman Smith was a lifelong Washingtonian who was born in California and died in Oregon. She was the second daughter of Gilbert John and Frances Cochran Ackerman born on St. Patrick’s Day. Betty and older sister Barbara Ackerman Aspen were raised in the Pacific Northwest.She attended Annie Wright Seminary in Tacoma for three years, a school her daughter also attended. Betty graduated from Queen Anne High School in 1951 and the University of Washington in 1955. Betty was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, a membership that allowed her daughter to also be her sister.
Betty married Robert Ralph Smith in 1959. Although later divorced, Betty had two children: Roger Rice Smith,1962 and Allison Smith Martin,1964. Her children were the center of her life. After her divorce, Betty moved to Kennewick where her parents had retired. Her parents helped Betty settle in as a single mother. She worked for the City of Kennewick until her retirement.
As a sports fan, Betty rooted for the Seahawks, the Huskies and the Zags. She loved playing card games and aimed to solve her daily crossword puzzle. Betty was once an active bowler, a hobby she shared with Roger. Betty moved to Portland in 2008. As a doting grandmother to Claire Frances Martin and Daniel Christopher Martin, the move allowed her to fully participate in their childhoods. Betty was also a lifelong traveler who in 1951 took a cross country road trip with her sister Barbara in a new Oldsmobile convertible reaching speeds of 110mph. Her life was well spent enjoying time with friends and family.
Betty is survived by her son, Roger and wife, Jacque Smith; daughter, Allison and husband, Christopher Jon Martin; grandchildren, Claire and Daniel Martin and Jenn Hollandsworth-Reed. As a loyal Episcopalian, Mom was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Kennewick and Grace Memorial Episcopal Church in Portland. In lieu of flowers, contributions and memorials may be sent to Grace Memorial Episcopal Church. A memorial service for Betty will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at Grace Memorial Episcopal Church.
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