November 20, 1924 – August 31, 2024
Elizabeth Jane Jennings Dunn—known to all who loved her as Betty—passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024, at the age of 99 leaving behind a legacy of warmth, wisdom and quiet strength that touched generations. She was 99 years young in spirit, ever curious, ever kind.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on November 20, 1924, Betty’s early life was shaped by the winding paths of the Midwest, moving throughout Kansas and Missouri, with brief stays in New York and Arkansas. These formative years gave her a grounded resilience and an appreciation for the many kinds of people and places that would continue to color her life.
She attended the University of Kansas, graduating in 1946 with a degree in Journalism—a testament to her lifelong love of words, stories and thoughtful communication. In 1949, she married Orville Dunn in Lead, South Dakota, embarking on a life of partnership, family and shared adventure. Together, they built a home that stretched across the country: from Dayton to Tucson, South Seattle to Vashon Island, New Orleans to finally, Bellevue, Washington.
Betty was a woman of grace and vitality. She embraced each day with purpose—exercising, walking and gliding through the waters of her aqua-aerobics classes well into her later years. The joy she found on a bicycle was unparalleled and in her 60s, she began taking cycling tours that brought her through the serene countryside of France, the tulip fields of Holland, the rolling hills of New England and more. While bicycling remained a passion throughout her later years, her final tour in Door County, Wisconsin at age 79, was a fitting chapter in a life defined by motion, curiosity and heart.
Her heart also found joy in service. Betty volunteered for many years at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina and at the Overlake Service League Thrift Shop, where she offered her time and compassion to those around her. She believed deeply in giving back to her community and her quiet efforts uplifted many.
Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Orville; her parents, Earle and Laura Jennings; her sister, Mary Frances Hill and brother-in-law Harold Hill; her brother, Earle Jennings and sister-in-law Alice Jennings; and her cherished grandson, Kyle Janezic.
She is survived by her four devoted children—Kathy (Joe) of Plymouth, MA; Tom (Sue) of Seattle, WA; Betsy (Ron) of San Luis Obispo, CA; and Bill (Lorayne) of Boise, ID—along with seven adoring grandchildren and two great- grandchildren. Each of them carries a spark of her spirit: her curiosity, her kindness and her unwavering strength.
Betty Dunn was a woman who quietly inspired those around her—through her actions, her presence and her enduring love. She beamed with pride at the accomplishments of each of her four children. She pedaled through life with grace, left footprints of compassion in every place she called home and lived each chapter fully. She will be dearly missed and forever celebrated.
The family asks that donations be made in Betty’s name to St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina in honor of her lifelong commitment to service and community.
