Vivian Beaudet

Our beloved mother, Vivian Beaudet, passed away peacefully on Jan 21 surrounded by loved ones.

Vivian was born in Grand Rapids, Minn. On Nov 6, 1926, to Leo J. Betz and Mildred Shipman Betz. She was one of six children.

During World War Two, she worked as a secretary in Washington, D.C.  She recalled it as a happy time in her life.  Being the youngest of the lodgers, she was taken under the wings of her more mature roommates.

Vivian married her high school sweetheart David P. Beaudet on Nov.28^th 1947.  They lived in Coleraine, Minnesota until 1952, during which time they had the first two of their six children, Terrence, and Sherry.

They then moved to LA County, California, where they soon bought a home. Here their children Jackie, Patti, Ron and Nancy were born.  Life in the LA suburbs was good, but crowded and polluted, and they were looking for something more.

In 1964, Mom and Dad took the family on a vacation to the redwoods in Humboldt County, California. They fell in love with the beauty of the area and moved to the small town of Redcrest, CA in the summer of 1964, immediately increasing the town’s population from 106 to 114.  That winter brought the biggest flood in the recorded history of Humboldt County.  We often laughed about the stark contrasts between the enormously populated, smoggy desert area from which we’d moved to the cool wet climate, beauty and small population of the place where we’d found ourselves!  Mom also said that she didn’t have a single regret about the move, most of all because of the lifelong friends that she (and we all) made there.  

Mom and Dad then moved the family to Longview, Washington in the late 1960’s.  Mom subsequently got a job in a nursing home, and later at Family Physicians.  She and Dad divorced in 1975.

She spent many happy years working as nurse’s aide and receptionist for Family Physicians.  She made many lifelong friends among the staff there, including her dear friends Jan Smith, the late Darnell Ringbom, the late Dr. Cordon Bittner, and the late Laurie Culbertson.   She stayed in touch and socialized with them for decades after her retirement in 1991.

Mom will always be remembered with so much love and gratitude by her children. Her laughter and humor never abandoned her, nor did her lifelong love of chocolate.  In her kitchen she had a little sign, “Hand over the Chocolate and no one gets hurt.”

Mom enjoyed working in her yard, and making it beautiful. She enjoyed spending time in her backyard in the summer. She was never happier than being out there pulling weeds! She was known to chase children and animals out of her front yard, with a broom.

It was very special to her to be able to go out to a restaurant to eat.  She was not able to do it much when she was younger.  She grew up during the depression, then she had a large family of her own. When any of us kids came to visit, we always made it a point to take her out for a meal every day!

Her favorite treats were hot fudge sundaes, vanilla milkshakes and chocolate candy.  She always had a candy dish out for anyone who came over, and several kinds of soda to offer. If she knew your favorite, she would have it.

She loved Christmas time.  She spent a lot of time decorating, loved getting a live tree each year and baking, preparing for the day. She typed up individual letters on a typewriter and sent out cards each year (it was a big undertaking.)  Once her house was all decorated, it looked like a Christmas store.  We kids would bring friends over to see it, because it was so special.  In earlier years, she would prepare enormous Christmas dinners for the entire family.

She was very independent, and lived in her mobile home until she was 94. She loved to read, and always had a book going.  Romance stories and murder mysteries were her favorites. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles because she wanted to keep her mind active.

Until her last years, Mom enjoyed taking trips.  Almost always to see or be with family.  She liked riding the train probably the best. But she would also travel by bus, plane or car to get where she wanted to go.  She loved visiting with her family and friends.  She was always excited to see the person and made them feel special.

She had a life filled with love and laughter.  Her children and their spouses were not only her kids, but also some of her best friends.

Mom was preceded in death by her ex-husband, David, with whom she remained friends. All her siblings have passed on, including her younger brother, Roger, with whom she shared a special bond.

Another departed friend whom she missed terribly was Joanie Evans.

She is survived by her children Terry (Penny) Beaudet, Sherry (David) Jenkins, Jackie Simmons, Patti Mork, Ron (Nancy) Beaudet and Nancy (Ken) Pearson; grandchildren Kelley Byes, Chris Jenkins, Joe Jenkins, Stacey Runnels, Sarah Smith, Robin Burns, Eric Wynn, Jesse Wynn, and Aaron Beaudet, along with numerous great grandchildren and even some great-great grandchildren.

With thanks to New Westside Terrace of Longview and to Hospice in Longview.

Mom, we miss you and we will always love you!