Betty Ballard

03/07/1920-09/22/2011
Preceded in death by her parents, Ada Belle and Orrin J. Wolfe and her husband Richard E. Smithey, Betty Wolfe Smithey Ballard died on September 22, 2011. Betty was born on March 7, 1920 in Seattle. The family moved to the Ferndale area and later to Bellingham where they remained for life. A natural talent, Betty started dancing at the age of 2 and never looked back. She was the first female Drum Major for the Bellingham High School Band from 1936-37 and danced in a local vaudeville group with Russ Clift throughout Whatcom County. Awarded a scholarship to the Sherette School of Fashion in Seattle for her sewing and design ability, she opted instead to start a family. Betty worked in retail sales for many years, retiring as a buyer from J.C. Penney. She married Wendell Ballard on Jan. 2, 1993 and they enjoyed many years of travel throughout the U.S. and Mexico. They were very active in many local service organizations including the local V.F.W., the Elks and the Moose. She will be missed by all. She is survived by her husband, Wendell Ballard, daughter Delinda Rogers, Reno, NV; son Richard Smithey and wife Gloria, Everson; step-daughter Barbara Crnich and husband Chuck, Bellingham; step-son Steven Ballard and wife Scarlet, Bellingham, grandsons Gordon and Gregory Rogers, Reno, NV; granddaughters Kris Smithey, Seattle and Megan Smithey, Tucson, AZ; and many step-grandchildren and friends, including the staff at Highgate House and the Whatcom Hospice team. Memorials may be made to Whatcom Hospice. Visitation will be held at Westford Funeral Home on Sunday, September 25th from 2-4 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held at Westford Funeral Home on Monday, September 26th at 11 AM followed by a reception at VFW Post #1585, 625 N. State Street in Bellingham.
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