Betty Clayson June 18, 1927 – April 24, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook| Send Sympathy Card| Memorial Donation My mother Betty made Walla Walla her home, with us, since arriving at age eighty seven, from England as a recent widow. Embarking on a Walla Walla life, with new everything, was a long way and a long time ago from her established English village life, but Betty loved it. The real sunshine and real snow experienced at our cabin, here in the mountains, was quite a shock for someone used to gentle spring, summer, autumn and winter drizzle.
We have no wilderness in England. Betty’s sightings on an English country walk being incomparable to the black bear encounter, experienced on one of her trail walks. He meandered nonchalantly across her path, leaving her breathless, speechless and with something to write home about.
She did write home about it! Watching chipmunk, raccoon, skunk, cougar, wild turkey, hummingbirds, elk, soaring eagles and opossum, not found in the wilds of England, brought her a new joy. She loved them all, especially the visiting deer, squirrel and host of wild birds.
Betty’s 87th Birthday was spent flying in a B17. A memorable and exhilarating forty minute flight, taking off from Walla Walla. She had wanted to experience a B17 flight, since watching from her kitchen window in 1942, as B17s from the local air base at Podington, flew back and forth on their fighting missions, to protect England.
She was able to distinguish the sounds of the aircraft, knowing to dive into the cupboard under the stairs, with her younger brothers, should it be German. They would crouch there until bombing ceased. They carried gas masks, just in case.
Betty was saddened when remembering counting fewer ‘planes returning some times. The horror of watching returning damaged B17s, spluttering with failing engines, back to base being almost too hard to bear. The bravery, the sacrifice, the loss.
Heroes all. The village mourned on those dark days. Betty had many stories and would tell tales of dashing GIs coming to the village pubs for often rowdy evenings, then ‘borrowing’ locals’ bicycles to return to base, five miles away.
Lost bicycles were usually to be found in the hedges flanking the lanes leading to the base. It would appear that many hearts were also ‘borrowed’ if not stolen, during this Live for the Moment era. The English remain grateful to these brave young Americans for their selfless service which gave them their ongoing freedom.
A memorial is built on donated land, beside the lane leading to, and within view of, the redundant air base. Betty and my late father, Graham Marriott Clayson, co-founded Friends of the 92nd Bombardment Group, in the early eighties. Money was raised for the memorial.
Together, they ensured that fresh flowers were placed there, no weeds grew and that the marble was kept shining clean. The Friends hosted visits for Vets, providing trips, entertainment and accommodation in their homes. Consequently, Betty and Graham made many American friends.
There are still some members of the 92nd, and their relatives, with whom Betty has remained in-touch. The memorial is now cared for by a new generation of volunteers. It was not long after her arrival here, that we took Betty to pay respects at the 91st Bombardment Group’s memorial, at Walla Walla airport, where they were trained.
For compassionate reasons, Betty became a vegetarian from age thirteen. This was an unprecedented and rare lifestyle choice in England in 1940! Her love for all creatures was apparent to everyone who knew her.
Throughout her life, rescued companion animals were always part of the family. We visited other states with Betty, but she loved Walla Walla and Washington most. She was very proud of her green card, reveled in doing what she called ‘American things’ and was tickled when told she sounded like the queen!
Betty passed peacefully in her sleep Wednesday 24th April 2019. Along with her many friends and family here, and in England, we miss her more than we can say. Somehow, living in America had to happen for Betty, she had loved it for so long.
Susan & Tom Jensen – daughter and son-in-law At Mom’s request, if you wish, please support Lyla Lampson’s cat sanctuary, in Mom’s name, by sending checks payable to: Milton Freewater Humane Society 54738 Day Road Milton Freewater, OR, 97862 or you may drop off donations at: Lyla’s Little Mall 9185 S. Main Street Milton Freewater, OR, Thursdays 10am-6pm or Sundays 12noon-4pm Lyla’s sanctuary offers wonderful, permanent homes to over sixty originally homeless cats. Donations help with medical and food bills. The cats are spayed or neutered, vaccinated and loved.
Many thanks.
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