Betty Onsum, longtime “summer resident” of Orcas Island, passed away peacefully on October 2nd at her assisted living residence in Shafter, California. Betty was born in Tacoma in 1920, attended Lincoln High School in Seattle, and received her B.S. from the University of Washington. She was a Husky till the end and even taught staff at her assisted living center the Husky Fight Song!

Betty and Owen built a home on the North shore in the 1970s after having vacationed for many years at Bartel’s Resort. Renting Cabin 5 on the waterfront was an annual ritual till they eventually built nearby on Scenic Lane. That home, known as the “Barbie”, became a summer gathering place for many generations of her family. Grandchildren have legendary tales and a lifetime of memories about their “island adventures” with “Grandma Betty”- hundreds of donuts consumed at Doty’s A1 Cafe, untold hours of campfires at West Beach or Smugglers, whacking nettles, skimming rocks, moped rides, 4th of July hot dog roasts on the North shore.

Betty enjoyed fellowshipping with other Christians at Orcas Island Community Church. Many lifelong relationships were established there. For Betty Onsum, the lyrics of the beloved hymn “Blessed Assurance” were not just words on a hymnal page, they represented a daily consciousness: “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! This is my story; this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.” To have known Betty, was to know this reality. She often commented that Jesus was her best, closest friend. Today she sees her friend face-to-face.

Surviving family include: sons John and his wife Rita of Eastsound and David and his wife Lynn of Bakersfield and Eastsound; daughter Judy Fortenberry and her husband Radon of Bakersfield and Eastsound. She was preceded in death by her daughter Cathy Ericsson (husband Doug) of Sunnyvale. Betty was loved by many nieces and nephews including Janis Onsum Ghazel and husband Tony of Eastsound.