Betty DeHope died May 8, 2003, after a brief illness at the Weatherly Inn in Tacoma. She was 82 years old.

Born Christmas day 1920 in Mitchell, South Dakota, she was raised on a farm in nearby Stickney by her parents Paul and Gladys Cooper. She attended college at Dakota Weslyan University and graduated with a teaching degree.

In 1940 Betty began her teaching career in Alcester, S.D. She taught primary education. It was in Alcester that she met and married her beloved Hank DeHope.

Thus began a truly fairytale relationship.

In the fall of 1947 the couple moved to a faraway place called Vashon Island.

Coming to Vashon was a significant change for the girl who had grown up surrounded by corn fields.

“Probably the largest body of water I had seen was in a big bathtub, and to come to this area completely surrounded by water was a shock,” she once said. However, it only took her one month to adapt.

Mrs. DeHope taught first grade for a while, but will long be remembered by hundreds of Vashon Island kids as “Mrs. DeHope, my kindergarten teacher.” Betty always told kids to keep love in their hearts and think about other people.

The DeHopes raised two sons, first on the Burton Peninsula and later on Kingsbury Beach.

Mrs. DeHope loved music of all kinds and had a wonderful voice. She also was fond of ballroom dancing. She and Hank enjoyed dancing at the Tacoma Elks Club.

After her retirement in 1981 from the Vashon School District, they traveled the world, but always treasured the sunsets most from their home looking west across Quartermaster Harbor.

Mrs. DeHope was a career member of Vashon Education Association, Washington Education Association, and National Education Association. She was active until her death in PEO. She was proud of her 50 year pin in Eastern Star as well as being an original life time member of the Vashon Island Golf & Country Club.

She loved her church, the Vashon Presbyterian Church. She sang in the choir for years.

Pastor Dr. John Neal was a great source of inspiration for the family as she recovered from the stroke she suffered five years ago.

A son Paul DeHope died earlier.

Survivors include her husband of 58 years Hank, son Don DeHope and his wife Marla of Victor, Wash.; grandchildren David DeHope of Seattle and Kathryn DeHope of San Diego.

Services will be at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, at the Presbyterian Church.

A memorial in her name has been established at the church.

Arrangements were entrusted to Island Funeral Service.