Betty L. Ellwood (Whitney)

Betty Lanier Ellwood (Whitney)
September 29, 1924 - September 28, 2016
Betty Lanier Ellwood (Whitney) was a strong and determined person who made her own way in life. Betty passed quietly at Chantele's Loving Memory Care in Sutherlin, surrounded by family. Betty passed just a few hours before her 92nd birthday. She is greatly missed by all who were close to her.
Born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, to William and Elizabeth Whitney, Betty (aka "Betty Boop"), spent her early childhood growing-up in the town of Lakewood, Ohio. The family relocated to Linesville, Pennsylvania in the early 1930s, at the height of the depression. The Whitney's soon relocated again, this time following the WPA construction work to California, settling near Pasadena. Betty, her older brother Bud Moore and her younger sister Ann Whitney grew-up through their teens, basking in California sun.
When WWII hit the west coast with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Betty hired-on at an aircraft assembly plant. She was one of the first from America's "Greatest Generation" who became known as "Rosie the Riveters", women stepping-up to support the war effort, filling-in behind and doing what was previously considered to be men's work.
After the war Betty enrolled in Pasadena City College, where she earned a certificate in bookkeeping. She also met her future husband, Tom Spencer, a decorated veteran recently discharged from the Army Air Corps "Mighty 8th Air Force" in Europe. Betty and Tom were married, and soon had a son Thomas William Spencer (1947).
Betty quickly obtained work handling the books for several private firms in the Pasadena area. Betty studied for and obtained her first real estate license. It was at this time (mid-1950's) that Betty tried her hand at owning her own small bookkeeping business. She was made for this, and the personal freedom and independence she found during the war years flourished.
Betty moved to Roseburg in 1971, where she again started-up a small business as a bookkeeping contractor. Betty said she moved to Oregon for the "seasons", which reminded her of her youth in Ohio and Pennsylvania. She had spent many wonderful summer vacations in Douglas County (Loon Lake), and had made new friends here. Betty worked for several small companies in the area, one of which she co-owned and operated (for nearly 30-years) with her business partner Art Faulkner (Lindy's Trading Post).
In the years since Lindy's, Betty kept herself busy with her rental business and visits with family. Betty was an ardent supporter of several environmental causes and pet rescue organizations, making annual donations to various groups. She also would take-in stray cats and dogs, placing them with pet adoption services like SOSCAT, where she would pay for all of their care and medical expenses.
Betty is survived by her son Tom Spencer and his partner Gina Thompson of South Lake Tahoe, CA; son Todd Spencer, partner Debbie Willett, and grand-daughter Elizabeth Spencer, all of Vancouver WA; grand-son Tom Spencer Jr and great grand-daughter Taylor Spencer, both of Milwaukie, OR; sister Ann Bell and niece Diane Bell, both of Austin, TX; nephew Daniel Bell, wife Kristy, and grand-nephew James, all of Pottstown, PA; niece Hillary Moore in southern CA; grand-daughter Michelle Westlake and family of Medford, OR; and her much loved kitty "Angel".not to worry, Angel has a home with Betty's family.
*Honoring Betty's wishes, there are no services scheduled for this time. Donations and remembrances can be made in her name to:
Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center, at: http://www.savinggrace.info/ , 541.672.3907
Sutherlin-Oakland Stray Cat Action Team (SOSCAT), at: http://www.soscat.org/ , (541) 581-0381