Betty Joyce McDonald

Betty Joyce Stevens McDonald, 94, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully on November 30 surrounded by her loving family at Overlake Hospital. Betty was born to George and Catherine Stevens in Seattle on August 22, 1928. She grew up in Olympia, Washington and graduated from Olympia High School. She attended the University of Washington and married Lowell “Pat” McDonald in Olympia in 1949. They lived in Longview, where their 3 children were born. In 1956, the family settled in the Mockingbird Hill community of Bellevue where Betty lived until her death. She was a co-owner of 4M’s Catering and was employed at Bellevue Community College from 1968 until her retirement in 1998 as the Registration Manager. She was active in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, PTA, Garden Club and served as an officer of the Bellevue Ski School for many years. She was an avid fan of the Rainiers, Cougars, Huskies, Mariners and Seahawks. She was an accomplished quilter, loved art and music, and was a seasoned world traveler. Betty was proud of her Norwegian heritage and enjoyed visiting the birthplaces of her grandparents’ in Telemark, Norway and Orkney, Scotland. She was a member of the Bellevue Presbyterian Church, serving on the hospitality committee and as a Sunday School teacher for many years. Betty especially loved spending summer weekends and her annual birthday celebration with the family at her lake house in Olympia. Betty was predeceased by her husband, parents and sister, Kathryn Thorne. She leaves behind three children, Patrick (Cheri) McDonald, Kathryn McDonald, and Kerry (Fred) Lange. She adored her grandchildren, Sean (Jessica) and Christian McDonald; and Jeffrey (Bridget) and Megan Lange. She was a devoted Grandma Great to William and Lillian McDonald; and Vanessa and Brielle Lange. She also leaves 3 loving nieces, Jodi, Kim, and Tracy and longtime dear friends, Jean McClure and Gerry Becker. A Graveside Service will be held May 18, 2023 @11:30am at Sunset Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center or Medic One Foundation of Bellevue.