Elizabeth "Betty" Jeffery Tobin

January 04, 1929 - February 01, 2016

Elizabeth "Betty" Jeffery Tobin Obituary (Age 87) Betty J. Tobin went to her heavenly home surrounded by her loving family on February 1, 2016 while in the care of Hospice. She passed away after a recent hospitalization. She was born Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Jeffery on January 4, 1929 in Appleton, Wisconsin to Gerald M. and Lorraine M. Jeffery. She was united in marriage to L. Joseph (Joe) Tobin, the love of her life, on May 30, 1949. They were married for 52 joy-filled years. She was a very devoted and involved mother who shared her love of athletics, the outdoors and her compassion for others with her four children. Betty grew up in Menasha, Wisconsin. She attended St. Patrick?s Grade School and went on to attend Menasha High School. She loved all sports; swimming, she was a life guard at the local pool, loved diving, ice skating, skiing, tobogganing, and tennis. After high school, she went on to attend the Milwaukee Business Institute and was employed as a secretary with the Marathon Corporation. After her marriage in 1949, she was immediately whisked into the world of the Navy. Dad was an officer at the time and mom assumed the responsibilities that came along with his position among the women due to his rank. She was placed in a role of leadership despite being the youngest of the navy wives. She held this position with grace, dignity and a natural ability to lead that went far beyond her young years. This was only the beginning of the many leadership roles she would hold in the years to come. Betty?s commitment to volunteering covered 30 plus years. Her family moved to Seattle in the early 60?s and settled in the Capital Hill community. She volunteered in many different capacities, ranging from working at St. Joseph?s Catholic School as Head Coach of the Girl?s Track Program and serving as Director of the Girl?s Athletic Program. Her family moved to Olympia in 1969. Betty was a community tennis teacher and then went on to coach the Olympia High School Girl?s Tennis Team. She became a certified professional tennis instructor and taught for over 25 years at Valley Athletic Club. Betty established a very successful Ladies Day Program where over 100 ladies participated weekly. She also worked with the Tumwater Valley Jr. U.S. Tennis Association. In 2001, mom received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Valley Athletic Club. She served as a member of the St. Peter?s Women?s Orthopedic Guild and as a Community Board Member of St. Peter?s Hospital. She also served as a team greeter at St. Michael?s Catholic Church. In December of 2001, her husband died, and she made the move to Spokane to be near her three daughters. After relocating to Spokane, she began volunteering in 2002 at her daughter, Kay?s school - the Bryant Campus. She continued volunteering for the 2003-2004 school year. She was awarded Volunteer of the Quarter for her dedication and commitment in the spring of 2004. Also, Betty helped her daughter, Peggy, start up a high school girl?s tennis team at Chewelah High School. Her knowledge and skills were instrumental in helping to build this successful Chewelah Tennis Program. Betty was a devoted Catholic all her life, loved to travel and play tennis. Her family will cherish the memories of the amazing mother she was, and they will hold her in their hearts forever! She is survived by her four children and their spouses; L Joseph Tobin, Jr. Spokane, WA, Kay (Ron) Schutz, Spokane, WA, Peggy (Barry) Meyer, Chewelah, WA, Anne (Michael) Look, Spokane, WA; six loving grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; and her sister, Jan (John) Hathaway. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her two brothers, Donald Jeffery and Jerry Jeffery. The family suggests donations be made in Betty?s memory to Catholic Charities through Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral, 1115 W. Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.