Obituary of Betty Joyce Tozier

Betty Joyce Tozier, age 89, passed away at her home in the Skokomish Valley, surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, September 7, 2013. She was born in Seattle on September 14, 1923, the daughter of Max and Eva (Ribbans) Latzel. Betty was a resident of the Skokomish Valley for nearly 80 years. She attended Eldon and Lincoln Grade Schools, and graduated from Irene S. Reed High School, with the class of 1942. She married Arthur "Bud" Tozier, her husband of over 69 years, at her parent's Skokomish Valley dairy farm. She worked in the garden center at Tozier Brother's in Shelton for many years and was well known for her fondness and knowledge of gardening and horticulture. Her own yard, garden and orchard were picture perfect and she generously shared the bounty of her harvests with others. Betty also had a great love and compassion for animals. Throughout the years, she sheltered and raised countless Skokomish Valley abandoned animals. Together with her husband, she owned Tozier's Christmas Trees from 1960 to 2006. She was a member of the Mason County Historical Society. Above all else, Betty's family and friends were her passion and delight. She was a devoted mother to three children, many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She welcomed family, friends, and visitors into her home, and was especially pleased when cousins came from England, Germany and Canada to visit. Betty is survived by her daughter Maxine L. Johnston (Ed) of Shelton; sons Arthur L. Tozier, Jr. (Gernie) and Evan G. Tozier (Sarah) of Shelton; sister Billie Howard of Shelton; grandchildren Julie Johnston and Jenny Johnston of Seattle; Lindsay Tozier and Ian Tozier of Tacoma, and Kody White of Shelton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur L. Tozier, Sr., parents Max and Eva Latzel, sister Bernice Latzel Moorhead, and granddaughter Chelsea Tozier. A graveside service will be held on Friday, Sept. 13, 2013 at 2pm at Shelton Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the Colonial House- 221 E Pine St in Shelton. Memorial donations can be made to Seattle Children's Hospital in memory of her late granddaughter, Chelsea Tozier at 4900 Sand Point Way NE; Seattle, WA 98105. McComb and Wagner Funeral Home and Crematory of Shelton handled the arrangements.