Betty Vanderkin
Betty Vanderkin was a woman of faith and family who enjoyed giving back to the communities she lived in.
Betty Rose Vanderkin (née Coles), 84, passed away July 20, 2025, in Beaverton, Ore. Born in 1941 in Olympia, she lived a life defined by faith, compassion, humor and a love for family and community.
Betty loved to travel, especially to the Oregon coast, and enjoyed many trips with family and friends. She enjoyed the simple pleasure of spending an afternoon on her porch swing surrounded by nature.
Betty was deeply committed to her Catholic faith. She served for decades as a Eucharistic Minister, bringing communion to the sick and homebound. She was active in parishes across several states and volunteered in schools and local elections. She proudly supported the presidential campaigns of John and Robert Kennedy.
Betty shared 50 loving years with her late husband, George J. Vanderkin. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, known for her grounded wisdom, dry wit and quiet strength.
She is survived by her children: Debbi (George) Garza, Tammy Allen, George (Brenda) Vanderkin, and Kathy (Jahed) Sukhun; grandchildren: Mandy (Travis) McDonald, Amy (Craig) Crandell, Angela Garza, George Garza Jr., Jacob (Aaliyah) Garza, Kalisha (Shaun) Phillips, Travis (Erica) Allen, Aaron (Samantha) Allen, Adam (Marissa) Vanderkin, Noor (J'mir) DeLaughn, Yasmine (Shaun) Cerciello, Munzer (Emily) Sukhun, Laythe (Brittany) Sukhun, and Yousef (Noor) Sukhun; and great-grandchildren: Julian, Camryn, and Samson McDonald; Cooper Crandell; Kalani and Titan Garza; Kira, Amira, and Langston Phillips; Angelo Allen; Jennifer, Lexie and Levi Vanderkin; D'ante, Amani, and Jalen DeLaughn; Sebastian and Roman Cerciello; Munzer, Noa, and Quinn Sukhun; Mason and Zayne Sukhun and her sister, Lori.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George, great-grandson Ammon Vanderkin, parents and three sisters.
Her legacy of service, resilience and kindness lives on in the many lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
Betty will be interred at Wind River Cemetery in Carson, Wash., joining her late husband, George.