Betty Jean Getman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Gardner Getman, Betty Jean Betty Getman, (Weber), formerly Betty Gardner, age 83, passed away in Vancouver WA 4/28/17, after a series of long illnesses. Former addresses include Jennings Lodge & Portland OR, Chinook WA & Astoria OR. Betty's husband of 19 years, Donald Getman, preceded her in death. Betty & first husband, Harold J. Gardner raised four children: Gregory, Kathleen, Julianne, and Theresa. They divorced in 1976 and Harry died in 1987. Names can tell a story. Betty Jean Rosalie Theresa Marie Weber Gardner Getman was born 5/5/33 as Rosalie; her adoptive parents, John A. Weber and Eva Hughes Weber named her Betty Jean. Raised Catholic, Betty took two saint's names at Confirmation: Theresa and Marie. Betty attended grade school at Catholic McLoughlin Institute in Oregon City; high school at St. Mary's Academy, Portland, and college at Marylhurst, earning a Bachelor of Music with honors in classical piano. In 1955, she met, fell in love with and married Harold J. Gardner who had recently completed his US Air Force tour of duty. Betty spent 8 years as the music/choir director at St. John the Apostle Church in Oregon City; then worked at Oregon City Hospital prior to an 11-year position with United Airlines. Subsequently, she was an instructor at International Air Academy in Vancouver, WA which she loved. In her later years, Betty became passionate about environmental issues, most specifically the health of the Columbia River. A life-changing event in 1971: BJ and Harry were visiting Ceylon-now called Sri Lanka, an island nation off the SE coast of India. Surprised by a violent political uprising, they and many others were trapped on the island with all flights cancelled. Thousands were killed. Betty, as an employee of a major airline was instrumental in getting a commercial flight into Ceylon on short notice for evacuation of tourists and US personnel. It was a daring rescue, owed in large part to Betty Gardner Getman, and the president of TWA Airlines who broke rules to order the secret rescue, and the bravery of the TWA pilots/crew. Betty is survived by her loving children: Gregory (Karin) Gardner; Kathleen (Daniel) Corcos; Julianne (Mark) Maguire, Theresa (Charles Bubba) Kuhn, her grandchildren: John, James (Nichole), Joseph (Jillian), Caroline, Amanda, David, Christina (Kevin), Wesley, Anne, James, Rachel, Elizabeth, her great-grandchildren: Brandon, Logan, Cian, Liam, Jamison, Jayna, Delylah, Jonah, Grace and Levi. A private service is planned for summertime.

Betty Jean Getman

May 5, 1933 - April 28, 2017