Betty Dean Senneff

Betty Senneff passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 8, 2012 in Kirkland, WA. She was 97 ½. The daughter of prominent oral surgeon, Frank M. Dean and Grace Dean, she was born in Bellingham, WA on April 9, 1915. As a young child she moved to Seattle where she attended Broadway High School and graduated from the U of W, majoring in art and fashion design. She was a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and Lambda Rho art honorary. She then attended Griffin-Murphy Business College in Seattle and in the fall of 1940 she took her newly –acquired bookkeeping skills to Honolulu, where she worked for Dillingham & Bolles. While in the islands, she witnessed, from the roof of her apartment, the bombing of Pearl Harbor; and was later forced, by the war, to return to Seattle. Betty soon met Raymond Senneff at a USO dance and on March 3, 1943, they married. After Ray’s stint in the Army, they returned to Seattle, where in 1955, they started Senneff Windoware Company. Betty contributed her bookkeeping skills and artistic talent to the business, which continued until 1981, when Ray passed away. In 1958 they built a home on Champagne Point where Betty enjoyed gardening, swimming, reading, and watching all the wildlife. She lived there until 2006 when she moved to Madison House in Kirkland and then to Inglewood Heights Adult Family Home in Kirkland in 2011.

Betty will be greatly missed by her daughter, Laurel Dean Lupton, Kirkland; grandson, Scott (Susan) Lupton, Mill Creek; former son-in-law, Jerry Lupton, Kirkland; and grandpuppy, Misty. The family would like to especially thank Alex and Doina Apostol of the Inglewood Heights Adult Family Home for the wonderful care they gave Betty during the last 20 months. A special thank you goes to Alex who took Betty for a daily walk, rain or shine, so she could enjoy the flowers in the neighbors’ yards; and to Doina, who spoiled her by taking her shopping and cooking special foods to satisfy her finicky appetite. Alex and Doina, you are very special people. God bless you.

At Betty’s request, no services will be held. Remembrances may be made to PAWS or the Seattle Humane Society.