February 29, 1924 - November 21, 2011
Bette Jane Robertson Obituary
Passed away peacefully in Anchorage, Alaska on November 21, 2011. Bette was born February 29, 1924, in Spokane, Washington to Newton and Sadie Ellen Robertson. She graduated from John Rogers High School. She worked as a bookkeeper for many years in Spokane and moved to Anchorage in 1973. She began work for the State Operated Schools and then joined the Division of Banking and Securities for the State of Alaska.
She loved to travel and visited many different areas of the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean with family and friends. She was politically active most of her life and was a proud past member of the Bartlett Democratic Club in Anchorage, the ACLU for over 40 years, and the Navy League. She also assisted as an election night volunteer for many years after she retired from the State of Alaska. She led a life of compassion and care and gave away almost everything she earned to various charities over the years. She was married to James Anderton in 1959 until his death in 1965. She never had any children of her own but she was a devoted and beloved "second mom" to her many nieces and nephews. Bette is survived by her sister Patricia Jensen of Anchorage and her niece Marilyn Luebke (Bill); and her nephews, Bob Robertson (Ann), Mark Robertson and Scott Robertson, all of Spokane; and her nieces in the Pacific Northwest, Linda Bowman (Dennis), Colleen Robertson, and Bonnie Roth (Gene). She also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews from the Gannon family who reside in Anchorage.
Preceding her in death were her parents, sisters Opal Elixman, Bonnie Robertson and Merle Rush; and brothers George and William Robertson, and her nephews Lloyd Robertson and Joseph Gannon; and her infant niece Diana Gannon. A private memorial service will be held in Anchorage. A graveside burial will be held at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Spokane. In lieu of flowers, please give to Alzheimer's Disease Resource Agency of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507, or your local food bank. The family gives thanks and gratitude to Mercy Sullivan and the wonderful caregivers at All About Care in Anchorage who gave Aunt Bette such special attention and love over the past three years. Arrangements have been entrusted to Wetzleben Funeral Home in Anchorage and Heritage Funeral Home in Spokane.