Betty Louise Deforest

Betty DeForest, 93, a long-time resident of Medford, went to Heaven to be with Jesus on Sunday, January 13, 2019. She passed away peacefully at Pioneer Village in Jacksonville. Betty will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She is dearly missed by her family and friends.
Betty was born January 21, 1925 in Alhambra, Ca., the middle child of Marvin and Kathleen Collins. She was raised in San Gabriel and South Pasadena, Ca., graduating from South Pasadena-San Marino High School. In 1943, Betty met Russell DeForest when he attended a social held at her church. Russ, a Michigan native, was stationed in California for U.S. Army training. They corresponded during World War II, while Russ served in Europe. On September 5, 1947, Betty married Russ in South Pasadena. The couple made their first home in Rosebush, Michigan, in a log cabin built by Russ.
Before marriage, Betty worked for over three years in California. A talented typist and bookkeeper, Betty was first employed by a Los Angeles insurance firm and later by the National Laboratories in South Pasadena. While in Michigan, Betty helped put Russ through law school by working for the Michigan Bell Telephone Company and the University of Michigan Housing Department. Betty and Russ moved to Medford, Oregon in 1952. Prior to becoming a full-time mom, Betty was employed by the Bear Creek Corporation, a local CPA, and as a bookkeeper/receptionist for KMED Radio Station.
Betty and Russ had two daughters, Leslie and Wendy, and one son, Bret. Betty was a super-mom – sewing school clothes; serving as president of the Wilson Elementary School Parent-Teachers Association; taking her children to their many sports events; and camping with the family. When Bret started high school, Betty returned to work. From 1973 to 1996, Betty worked as a media specialist for the Medford School District’s Instructional Media Center. Betty and Russ celebrated their 55th anniversary in 2002.
Betty was a devout Christian. She had a beautiful voice and sang in church choirs throughout her lifetime, beginning as a teenager and continuing into her 80’s. Betty was a life-long athlete and played for her high school’s field hockey team. Golf was her favorite sport. Betty also enjoyed swimming, archery, downhill and cross-country skiing, biking, competing in 5K running events and bowling with her grandchildren. Betty loved being a grandma and great-grandma, attending as many of their school activities and athletic competitions as possible. She enjoyed chronicling the family history with multiple photo albums – now treasured by her children. Betty also loved all animals, especially dogs and cats. For the past 11 years, her constant and loving dog companion has been Izzy, an adorable Maltese.
Betty is survived by: her children, Leslie Lewis (Don), Wendy May (Jerry), Bret DeForest (Barbara); grandchildren, Andy Coats (Abby), Matt May, Adam May, Carrie May (Greg), Joey May (Justine), Whitney Brim-DeForest, Brady Brim-DeForest (Jessica), Sterling Brim-DeForest (Haley), Michael Rosenberg (Ashley); and 11 great-grandchildren, Korben, Emma, Abdoulaye, Brenden, Hudson, Lillian, Salle, Jase, Aiden, Hypatia and Johnny.  Betty was preceded in death by an infant daughter Gayle Louise, her parents, her husband Russ, her brothers Charles and Richard Collins and her grandson Aaron Coats.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held on Sunday, January 27, 2:00pm, at Pioneer Village Bistro, Jacksonville, Oregon. The family would like to thank the Pioneer Village caregivers and staff, and Providence Hospice for Betty’s care. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Special Olympics would be appreciated.
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