Obituary of Betty M Brinkman

Betty Mae Brinkman 1946 – 2023 Betty Mae Brinkman passed away on January 6, 2023, at the age of 76. Born April 15,1946, Betty grew up in a rural farming community outside of Bellingham, WA. Her service-focused life began early, joining nearly every club that school and the community offered. After attending Western Washington State College for three years, Betty packed up her VW beetle and worked in Seattle for legal and accounting firms. Anchoring in Olympia for her career with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (1970-2000), in 1977 Betty completed her BA at The Evergreen State College. Betty’s love of performing arts blossomed at the Olympia Little Theatre where she was an actor in several plays as well as a volunteer and board member. Her Olympia area service organizations include The Capital City Newcomers Club, The Woman’s Club of Olympia, the American Association of University Women, Olympia Family Theater and Unity Church of Olympia. Taking all her Olympia area service groups with her, Betty moved to the Shelton community in 1993 where her contributions expanded to include the Jolly Jesters, Shelton Kiwanis Club, Shelton Arts Commission, Mason General Hospital Auxiliary, Sound Learning, Friends of Shelton Timberland Library and Meals on Wheels. Her passion for service to children included substituting for Shelton Schools and most recently as a full-time para-educator at Oakland Bay Junior High School. Her value-added, never-miss-a-chance-to-serve life focus somehow also made room for enjoying book clubs, play groups and lifelong educational opportunities. Betty was preceded in death by her father Guerdon ‘Bing’ Brinkman, her mother Bernice Brinkman, and her sister Barbara Tripp. She is survived by two nephews Greg (Anne) Tripp and Eric Tripp, niece Tina Tripp, great-nephew Andrew Tripp and two great-nieces Chloe Tripp and Rayn Tripp. Her lifetime passion for service was enhanced by her elegant and artistic style, her smiling face and infectious laugh. Remembrance donations (financial or service volunteering) can be made to any of the above mentioned organizations. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 28, 2023, 1:00-3:00pm at Center for Spiritual Living, 3437 Libby Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98506