Betty Martin died peacefully on Sept. 20, 2011, at her home in Lakewood, Wash. with her family by her side.
Blanche Elizabeth Morrell was born on Feb. 15, 1919 in Payette, Idaho. and was one of two daughters born to Marion Ida and Caleb Emert Morrell of Pocatello, Idaho. Her sister Margaret, her husbands, William J. Orlob and Lloyd D. Martin and her oldest son Mike Orlob preceded her in death. Betty graduated from the University of Idaho where she met Bill Orlob and eventually married him July 12, 1941 in Moscow, Idaho. Betty graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor in business and was the first in her family to receive a college degree. Betty and Bill moved to Philadelphia, Penn. where Bill attended and completed medical school. Betty and Bill then moved to Cheney in 1947 to raise their family. They had three sons Mike, Wes, and Doug and one daughter Sherrie.
Betty kept herself busy with her family and helping Bill with his medical practice until his death in 1961. Betty remarried Lloyd Martin in 1965 and continued to live in Cheney until Lloyd's death in 1998. She then moved to Olympia to be closer to her daughter after having lived in Cheney for over 56 years. During her life in Cheney, Betty was active at her church, United Church of Christ, where she acted as the church secretary for many years. Also she was a past Worthy Matron in the Order of Eastern Star, was active in her chapter of GA of P.E.O., and was an alumna of Delta, Delta, Delta sorority.
Betty is survived by her sons Wes (Carol) of Spokane and Doug (Jane) of Spokane, daughter Sherrie (Cindy) of Lakewood and her daughter-in-law Evy Orlob (Mike Orlob's wife) of Bend, Ore. Her eight grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren also survive her.
Betty was a very special lady and will be greatly missed by all of those who knew her. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was always kind and caring and had a wonderful, fun, and lively sense of humor. She was a fantastic cook and made one great Huckleberry pie! Next to her family she loved her “kitty cats” and her best feline companion “Sassy” was on the foot of her bed until the end. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 19, at the United Church of Christ, 423 N. Sixth St., Cheney at 1 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to your local Humane Society.
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