Happy Birthday, Betty!

She's More Entertaining Than The Television

Tacoma, Washington

Feb. 11, 1953

Dear Marie & All,

Tomorrow is your birthday; I hope you have a very happy Day!

We were so glad to hear from you at Christmas. The girls wrote you "Thank You" notes but I didn't get them mailed. I'll enclose Roxy's in this letter. Thank you for the very nice toys you sent the youngsters. And for the ice cream scoop. What a wonderful idea! I know I shall enjoy it. Thanks too for the cup and saucer set. Bob just finished a built-in desk, bookcase and record player compartment for our play room. The cups and saucers fit in so perfectly on one of the shelves. We are enjoying them muchly, and think of you.

Betty & Morgan & Randy were here for Christmas. We had a nice visit, event though they were only able to stay for just one day.

Everyone at our house is just fine. Roxy has been home with the flu for a couple of days, but otherwise we have all been well this winter. Roxy's so big, you wouldn't know her - she is almost as tall as I and weighs nearly ninety pounds - a rather chubby ninety pounds, I might add.

The three older girls take piano lessons - with relative degrees of interest, enthusiasm, and proficiency.

Mark is a cowboy and television hound. Also likes to cook. Jackie is full of fun and cute as a bug's ear. As Melody says, "She's more entertaining than the television."

The club has been operating on a "week-ends" only schedule since the first of the year. So I only work three days a week now. Bob is working at the Northern Pacific Railroad - in the office, as secretary to the Superintendent. I don't know how long it will last - seniority is so important in the railroad, and Bob has none.

Haven't heard a word from Martin, have you?

Had a letter from mom the other day. Nothing new - although she has been doing some sewing. Which is somewhat of an adjustment, I guess.

Heard from Pop at Christmas time. They sent a box of stationary - very apropos for me.

We have had a very milk winter here. The primroses and stocks have been blooming all winter. he Pachel Oil Co. ae crying the blues.

Ruth Haakenson was over yesterday and gave me a home permanent. Lynn is a slim your teen-ager with a horse,  steady beau and a sweater girl figure.

Just took time out for a Valentine treat. Margaret and Phil - my bosses at the club sent the children five huge chocolate hearts, with their names on them. This was the unveiling. Roxanne changed the name on her heart to "Daddy" and put it under his pillow for a surprise. She's not being entirely unselfish - just figure conscious. Ten years old and counts calories!

Write!

Love & Stuff.

L

We Will Miss You, Betty!

Betty Caroline Jensen Pritchett Light

Sept. 14, 1924-June 4, 2012


Former Gresham resident Betty Caroline Jensen Pritchett Light died June 4 in Springfield. She was 87.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 17, at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home, 520 W. Powell Blvd.

Betty was born Sept. 14, 1924, in Omaha, Neb., to Lars and Ruth Norby Jensen. Betty graduated from Omaha Technical High School and married Morgan Pritchett in 1944. They moved to Oregon.

Betty earned a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University, a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Oregon, and a doctor of education in community college education from Oregon State University.

Betty was a founding faculty member of Mt. Hood Community College, becoming chairwoman of the business division a year later. She retired from Mt. Hood in 1986 as dean of communications, arts, humanities and social science.

Morgan preceded her in death in 1982. In 1985, she married Kenneth Light.

Betty served on the Gresham City Council from 1983-1986. She was very involved in civic life, both as an individual and in connection with Mt. Hood.

Her husband, Kenneth, preceded her in death in 2003.

Survivors include her son, Randall Pritchett of Gresham; daughters, Robin Church of Lowell and Royce Bishop of Auburn, Wash.; five grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation, 26000 S.E. Stark St., Gresham, 97030; Planned Parenthood, 3727 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland, 97212; or The Salvation Army, 8495 S.E. Monterey Ave., Happy Valley, 97086-7844.

Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

The baby is doing well, too.

Feb. 9, 1954

Dear Marie

Happy Birthday! Happy Valentine's Day too!

I'm here at Betty's you know. And glad for the opportunity to return the baby care favor I've owed her since Jill was born.

Betty is getting along very well. She seems so much stronger than when Randy was born. She is up and dressed every day although she takes it pretty sensibly easy.

The baby* is doing well, too. She still wakes up two or three times during the night. But it is to be expected from a baby so small. She doesn't eat much at a time, but she likes to eat often.

I brought Jackie with me the rest of the family are "batching it". Mark is in kindergarten and goes only a half day, but Ruth feeds him lunch and watches out for him for the afternoon until the girls come from school. Bob has to be out of town a day or two each week - and on those days, all of them will stay overnight at Haakensons.

Randy and Jackie have been really good pals. There's enough of an age difference to avoid the quibbling of comtemporaries. Randy has been under the weather yesterday and today has had a temperature of 100 degrees or over. He seems lively enough most of the time and it's probably nothing serious. He'll probably stay home from school tomorrow though. He really has it handy here. His school is just over the back fence.

Just realized I haven't written you since Christmas and thanked you for the lovely things you sent us. Betty opened her gift from you first. (They were at our house) and I just drooled! So I was most pleasantly surprised to find my gift was the same. I wear ear rings all of the time - even around the house - so they will be put to good use. I have a new cobbler's apron just the same shade of scarlet, too.

Bob's tie is just perfect! I made him a navy blue checked vest for Christmas and your tie was a perfect complement. He has worn both constantly.

The children really appreciated their gifts too. We made this a very "practical" Christmas this year, so the toys you sent were most welcome indeed! One could easily see you have children for you picked gifts perfectly suited to their age interests. And how nice it was for Ruthie and Becky to include their very own gifts! And made by themselves too, I'll bet. The little sachets are tucked away lovingly in their drawers.

How is Frank and his work. Any tempting job offers? Wouldn't it be fun if he found a good opportunity in Portland?

*The new baby is Robin Pritchett Church, born January 25, 1954.

Friday Photos: Randy & June Visit Tacoma

1981 visit to Tacoma, Washington (home of Lottie Jensen Johnson)

Mike Pritchett, Randy Pritchett, Lisa Pritchett Chiles, June Pritchett

Randy Pritchett

June Pritchett

Lisa Pritchett Chiles

Mike Pritchett, Nathan Johnson

Randy, Lisa, June

I suppose you know that your father had an accident

Lincoln, Nebraska

Jan. 2, 1952.

Dearest Marie -

I received the birthday greeting card and $1.00 enclosed also letter and thank you very much Marie. It was nice that you remembered me and those in your family did also, you wrote. I hope I can pick out a birthday card for you before your birthday is, as it is only a few weeks until then.

I am intending to send you 2 dish towels. They are not finished yet and I sew on them when I go to O.T. I go to O.T. 3 times a week.

Well I suppose you know that your father and Bob also Dora were here to visit me the 9th of Jan., I think it was. I was surely glad to see them and Bob showed Kodak pictures of the children. I was so pleased to hear about Martin being out with Lottie and her family and I am glad for the interest they show. Aren't you too?

Thank you for writing that you give permission for me to take an occasional trip to Lincoln. I hope I may go soon.

And I am so pleased that you wrote to my cousin in Chicago. I hope she answers your letter. When you write again please send a nice handkerchief. Again I am thinking how I wish you had gone with Betty to visit my cousins when Betty was in Chicago.

Oh yes I am glad that you called Betty up over the telephone being Betty's little boy had had a birthday. Glad to hear Betty's little boy is improved now.

I suppose you know that your father had an accident. I hope he isn't working yet. When he is able to drive a car he said he would come to Lincoln. I hope he takes his time about doing any work and will try to get rested up. Especially now that it is winter. I wish you would write the same as I have written above to him. Perhaps he will think it over that it would be a good idea. I sent you father a pretty gretting card last Sunday. Hope you remembered to send him a birthday card or belated birthday wishes. If you wish to send something you may sent me a soap dish, one that has a cover. Also some hard candy with soft centers. Thank you very much.

Marie you wrote that your best wishes went with your letter and card for a happy year. It will be that when your father somes and I may leave. You know how I have written about how I wish I could be dismissed. I shall be so glad and thankful to the stars above. So when you write your father don't over look to write plainly about me. Oh thank you so much in advance dear.

I must close and answer soon.

As ever,

I am,

Your Mother.

P.S. Excuse any un-neatness.

"My guardian was the man to see"

Lincoln, Nebr.

Jan 15, 1954

Dear Marie -

I received the pretty birthday card, letter and the $1.00 enclosed. Thank you dear very much and I appreciate what you sent.

Perhaps you have hear from Betty since you wrote. And excuse me if I repeat anything which you may already have heard. I was so glad to talk to Betty over the telephone and I could hear her so plain. Also her boy talked to me. Betty said she would pay for the telephone call and call it a birthday present from her. Wasn't that lovely of her?

Now I wrote and asked Betty in my letter what I would ask her over the telephone. One question was - "That I may go and see my guardian in Omaha, that it is all right with you. Thank you dear very much."

Now Marie I asked Betty to give her consent. But she said she would write to you about it which I hope she has done by now You see it is necessary. I told Betty how I had not heard from Martin and I wish to go out West and find him. Betty said that he docks in San Francisco. So I better go out there Marie. Don't you think so?

I am going to see about the Social Security card this week. When you filled out your card (which I suppose you did) did you write my middle name? It is Edith.

Yes it certainly was interesting about that Swedish lady. I wish I could talk to her again. She had lived in Chicago she said. I received a card from my cousin in Chicago and she also wrote. So I read some to this Swedish lady what my cousin had written about Chicago.

I am going to send you a few things soon. I was down to the city yesterday and I bought some apron material for you.

I have not been to the eye Dr. yet. I wish to go see a Dr.

Now Betty seemed to think that you would know what I have written about giving me permission to go to Omaha. I wish to go as soon as possible. And I can't tell you how anxious I am about Martin. I have marked  this way so you can be reminded again. And please say I may go on the train or bus by my-self. Perhaps I can return the same day. Oh I shall be so thankful to you Marie for helping me. And now please write with-in 3 days dear. You see it takes 3 days or more for a letter from you to get here. Thank you Marie for writing that you were thinking of me espeically the day of my birthday. And you were prompt to answer. I shall try to remember to pray that you will grant my wishes in your letter to me. The main wish to write that it is all right with you that I may go and see my guardian in Omaha. Last summer when I talked to your father I said that I wanted to talk to my guardian and see him. Your father said "my guardian was the man to see". I have waited so long and I have been as patient as a mother can be.

I am sending this special delivery as I consider this an important letter.

I will now close. Excuse any un-neatness.

I remain,

Your Mother.

address: 1149 South 17th Street, Lincoln Nebraska

"We have a dozen kids between us."

Phoenix, Ariz

April 28, 1955

Dear Betty & Family,

Lottie and Family too - if she's in Portland

This note to both of you - hoping it arrives when you are together. Wish I could be there too, to see the new wee one & give a helping hand. We have a dozen kids between us. Haven't discovered any of that "cheaper" part that is supposed to come with the "dozen." We all like the name of the youngest Pritchett - haven't heard of Royce as a girl's name, but really like it. Now you have the three "R's" - Randy, Robin, Royce. I was hoping you would have a girl. She and Robin will have swell times together. Congratulations to the Pritchetts! I was glad for your letter with all the news.

The new house sounds keen. Cheers for Morgan for going out more on his own.

I am enclosing a letter received a few days ago from Pop's doctor. I guess I told you I was writing to him to get accurate information to determine the real condition of his eyes & the advisability of an extensive trip. The letter is self explanatory, though not heartening. I think it is urgent that we make immediate plans. I don't like to push anyone - each of us has heavy financial responsibilities. It would be so much easier if we could talk. Since we can not, please each of you be frank about what you think & do write immediately.

Now for a plan. It is not a hard & fast plan but just a starting point from which to work. Do make suggestions or changes. Suppose each of us contributes $100, that would make $300 for sure. It wouldn't cover all the expenses but it would be a good start and I think enough of a boost so that Pop & Dora would feel that we really wanted them to come. I think they have some money they could put in too. I will contact Elin & Dora's son, Albert, too if you think it is a good idea but I wouldn't be too hopeful for contributions.

Frank's Dad could go with Pop to the station to make reservations & would be helpful in advising us. I know that the Golden State, crack coach train, to Phoenix would be comfortable. There is a good train over to Calif from here, but I don't have any knowledge of trains in the Northwest. Maybe Bob could make suggestions.

I think a nice way to handle the contributions to Pop would be for each of us to mail him a check & invitation letter to reach him by May 15 - is that a good & reasonable date? Dad Durand could pitch in to help make necessary arrangements and the trip ought to start June 1, 1955.

Immediately, I will write to the doctor & ask him to put in a personal word of encouragement to Pop to take the trip. I will wait on writing to Elin, Albert, & Dad Durand until I hear from you two gals. We ought to let Marin know Pop will be coming out when plans materialize farther. We have a Seattle address for him.

I think the psychological affect of Pop's receiving a letter from each of us on May 15 would be an excellent one.

Now, I think we should guard the seriousness of Pop's eye condition from our children & Mom for they are apt to say the wrong thing to Pop - doctor's advice. Also for Mom's sake, I don't think she should know the full extent of our help to Pop. I want sometime to do the right thing for Mom, but there are lots of factors involved.

I could write more about Frank's new job, Ruthie's extensive Campfire activities, & a few projects of my own, but right now I had better get this in the mail.

Please do respond immediately, kid. If the $100 is too steep just say so. We could make some adjustments.

Again congratulations on Royce Marie.

Love Marie & All

Betty: If "L" isn't there please see that she gets this information & outlined plan.

"Please excuse any un-neat-ness."

Lincoln, Nebr.

Dec. 31 1953.

Dear Marie -

I received the package with the cake on Christmas morning. I was out sweeping the walks when the box was delivered. Thank you dear very much and I appreciate the work you did in preparing the cake.

There was an old Swedish lady here, but she left to-day. I let her taste the cake and gave her some. She said in Sweden they kept the cake a long time and she said her mother used to make it.

Marie when I was down to city I bought a birthday card for you. It has light yellow roses on the cover. I was thinking that when you buy a birthday card for me - please buy one that has a white rose or roses on the cover.

Marie before Christmas I sent you a part of the Omaha newspaper. Did you receive it? I can't remember what there was of interest in-side, that I thought you would like to read.

It is Betty's little boy's birthday 1 of the first days of Jan. I thought I would remind you so you can send something or maybe 1 of your children would like to send their cousin a remembrance.

Marie it was so nice of you to send me the money for Christmas and to word it the way I asked you to about it.

I was down to the city yesterday but I hardly had time to go and see an eye Dr. I was thinking that perhaps I should go and talk to my guardian in Omaha. I don't know if this is news to you or not. So Marie would you write this - "My mother, Mrs. Ruth Jensen has my consent to go to Omaha and talk to her guardian." "Mrs. Marie Durand." Please write this in a letter when you send me a birthday card. Remember my birthday is Jan. 5th. Please be on time this year in sending me a birthday card will you dear?

I had a nice Christmas greeting card from my cousin Anna in Chicago. I hope that you sent her a card and wrote also.

I had a card from Elin and she wrote on one side of the greeting card. Elin did not send anything else.

I am thinking of asking for a social security card.

I have not heard from Martin. I thought if I went out West I could find some work which would not be too hard for me.

I would like to stay at the Y.W.C.A. when I first come out West. Do you happen to know anyone working at the Y.W. in Portland, or Tacoma? I was thinking that I would like to stay it one of those places. Please answer me about the dear when you write.

I received a few presents here and among them a bill fold.

My brother Garfield sent me a very nice greeting card and a box of candy. The lady I work for gave me the book I am enclosing.

I thought this picture of a blouse would be nice for you to get an idea from when you make a blouse for your little girls. I mean to wear under jumpers for school.

Perhaps you would like to read about children in the little article I am sending.

My wishes are expressed with-in the greeting card for the New Year.

Please excuse any un-neat-ness.

Again thank you for the cake, money, pin cushin and letter.

Answer soon as possible.

As ever, I remain,

From, Mother

"Pop, I'm glad you can vote this election even if you vote for Kennedy."

Text editted per request of family member's wish not to be included in this blog.

Photo Friday: 1983 Was A Stylin' Year

OK, people...don't blame me for your bad clothing & hair styles. (notice I have not shared any 1983 photos of myself...)

Lottie Jensen Johnson, Marie Jensen Durand, Betty Jensen Pritchett Light

top to bottom

Frank Durand, Marie Jensen Durand

Marie Jensen Durand

Frank Durand

Betty Jensen Pritchett Light

Becky Durand White, Ruthie Durand Dent

Randy Pritchett

June Pritchett

"All the kids are looking forward to Christmas."

Dec. 13, 1957

Dear Mother,

Please note the address – we haven’t moved. Once when I wrote I put the store address on by mistake. I’ve received the mail from you, though, at the store.

Hope you’re well & looking forward to Christmas. I’ve enjoyed talking with Lottie and hearing about her trip to Nebraska. Glad that she could make it even if I wasn’t able to.

Glad you like the sewing machine. I was happy that Lottie & Pop could make the arrangements.

We’re all well & busy. I’m still working and taking care of things at home, too. I’m now doing all buying for the store and enjoy my work.

Randy is busy with swimming lessons, Cub Scouts, Church Choice, Sunday Schools’s school. He’s almost busier than I am.

The girls are definitely not babies any more. I’m enclosing a picture we took just last week in front of the fireplace.

All the kids are looking forward to Christmas. We brought a new bicycle for Randy which he isn’t expecting so he’ll be quite surprised.

Jeanne Johnson has stopped by to see us several times in the past few months. She’s now a stewardess for Northwest Airlines and lives in Seattle. Every so often she has a few hours in Portland between flights and so comes out. She’s going to be here most of Christmas Day.

I’ve invited the Johnsons down for Christmas, too, but I don’t know whether or not they will make it. We visited them at Thanksgiving. All of them are well and the kids getting by. ... Melody is bigger than I am, & Jill is coming up fast. They are good kids – Lottie can certainly be proud of them.

Haven’t heard from Marie for a year. Have you had a letter from her? She’s as bad a correspondent as I am.

Haven’t heard from Martin either. Don’t have the slightest idea where he is.

Well, Mother, hope you have a Merry Christmas. We’ll be thinking of you.

Love
Betty

News from Oregon

Dec. 17, 1956

Dear Mother,

I didn’t mean for my letter writing to become an annual affair, but I guess that is just about what its degenerated to.

I think of all the family often, but there never comes time to get a note off. Maybe I just hate to write.

We have had a busy fall & summer, though we took a trip to Canada on my vacation in August. We drove to Tacoma & left Royce with Lottie while Morgan, Randy, Robin, & myself went on North. We had a lovely trip around the Island, through the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and in Vancouver, B.C.

Later on in August Melody came & spent a week with us. She’s getting to be a big girl & we certainly enjoyed having her. She’s awfully good with the little girls.

In September Jeanne Johnson, Elin’s oldest, called up & said she was in town. She came out & stayed three weeks. She had been in Hawaii for almost two years and was on her way home. She’s a very nice, intelligent & good-looking girl. Elin can be very proud of her. After she left here, she went home for a while and then back to Spokane where she’s now nursing in a hospital.

Jeanne said that Stanley is in his second year of college and is studying pre-med. Apparently he’s a very capable fellow and should do very well for himself. Jeanne said that Elin is the same as ever but Ray still isn’t able to do much. He receives compensation for injuries he received several years ago and still has trouble with his back.

In October things were settling down a bit when Morgan’s mother had a stroke. She was moved to a hospital and seemed to be recovering when she suddenly had a second stroke and passed away. Since her other son lives in California and her daughter in Arizona, we were responsible for all the funeral arrangements and details that go with this sort of thing. It was my first experience of this nature.

To keep things in a state of confusion we had another turn of excitement last month. Morgan was in a automobile accident and suffered a broken arm and cut on the forehead. He and two other fellows made a trip to Eugene, Oregon and on the way home the fellow that was driving missed a turn and the car went out of control and rolled down a bank. Morgan was thrown out of the car or he might have even been hurt more seriously. The driver wasn’t hurt at all but the third fellow has a broken back. He’ll be laid up quite some time. Morgan is feeling quite perky now. He still has his arm in a sling but probably he can do away with that before long. The accident was had enough but he could so easily have been killed that we feel pretty lucky.

I’m still working but have received a promotion. My duties are now confined exclusively to burying and managing the notions and soft goods departments in the three stores. It’s a big job but I enjoy it.

The children are growing by leaps and bounds. Randy now comes above my shoulder and weighs over 70 lbs. He’s in the fourth grade and does well. He started wearing glasses last month because he was having trouble focusing his eyes for reading.

Robin is almost three and looking forward to Christmas. She wants a “pepano” (piano) and a dolly. She’s definitely a little girl rather than a baby. She says “Royce is little, but I’m big!”

Royce is a fat happy little butterball. She’s walking now and talks quite a bit. She’s shorter than Robin but weighs almost as much. They are very good companions.

We plan to go to Tacoma for Christmas. We won’t be able to say very long but at least we’ll have a little time to visit. I haven’t seen Lottie since last summer.

Guess that just about takes care of the news at this end. Hope this letter finds you well & that you have a Merry Christmas.

Thanks for the papers you send a while back. I enjoyed reading them. Thanks also for the other package.

B.