My Wife, Betty Maudlin, 1937-2005

(I am sorry to sneak up on you like this; there was no other option.)

Obituary

BETTY J. MAUDLIN
06/06/1937-11/18/2005

Betty Jo Maudlin of Salem died today under the terms of Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act. She is grateful to the people of Oregon for giving her the opportunity to end a life that had become no life at all. Betty was a victim of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a little-known neurological disease for which there is no cure.

Before contracting this disease, Betty was extremely active. She loved to garden and to golf. She was a volunteer for the Salem Outreach Shelter, and Willamette Valley Hospice. She delivered Meals on Wheels. She was a volunteer and mentor at Highland School, and a mentor at Bush Elementary School.

Betty was a whiz at sewing. She made several prom dresses and once made the official Oregon State Fair flag.

She was much admired and appreciated everywhere she worked. Her jobs included office manager for Gov. Tom McCall’s first campaign for governor; administrative assistant for Attorney General Lee Johnson and for Johnson again when he became a Multnomah County Circuit Judge. She served eight years as administrative assistant for Gov. Victor Atiyeh, and later worked in the Community Relations Department of Salem Hospital.

Betty was born in Salem to Joseph and LaVaja Sexton. She is survived by her husband, Gene; daughters Shelley Heller, Salem, and Kathy Martin, Sheridan; and son Frank Smith, Salem; a sister, Evelyn Cole of Olympia, Wash.; three brothers, Cliff Sexton and Bill Sexton of Salem, and Vernon Sexton of Bend; and three grandchildren.

She was cremated and her ashes are interred at Restlawn Cemetery.

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(I will resume posting in about a week.)