Betty L (Fleischmann) Troup

Obituary The twinkling quiet light that was our mother and grandmother has sadly gone dark. Betty Louise Troup (Fleischmann) was born in Tacoma on January 13, 1928. She died on April 26, 2016. Betty graduated from Sacred Heart Elementary School and Aquinas Academy. She attended Seattle University for one year, and then worked for Catholic Community Services. She married Bert Troup in 1954. Following two years in Bellingham, Bert and Betty returned to Tacoma to build their home and business. Betty was an understated and quiet source of strength for our family. She was creative, organized, and had endless amounts of energy to manage her household. A self-taught tailor, she created our clothing, quilts, and home décor. She practiced needlepoint, stained glass, and decoupage. There was no craft that she could not master. In her spare time, she cooked every meal, maintained the house and yard, and either performed or managed home improvement projects. She canned homemade applesauce and jams. Her work managing our home meant that our father could commit himself entirely to his career, and her efforts were pivotal to his success. She was active in the Tacoma Garden Club, Holy Cross parish, and Bellarmine's Philomathea organization. Betty was intellectually curious and a prolific reader. Bert and Betty spent many summers at their Vashon Island cabin beachcombing, walking, and keeping blackberry vines at bay. She was a tremendously good sport and accompanied Bert to countless football, basketball, and baseball games. Bert and Betty loved to walk and wore a trail around their north Tacoma neighborhood. In retirement, they took up Volksmarches and Elderhostels. They travelled to Europe, Israel, the Virgin Islands, and many U.S. national parks. Hiking at Mt. Rainier was an annual tradition which they later shared with their grandchildren. In her later years, she gracefully adapted to changes in location and lifestyle. She recovered successfully from multiple hospitalizations and surgeries, each time approaching recuperation with an optimistic attitude and a strong work ethic. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Bert; her parents, Leonard and Pauline Fleischmann; and her siblings Eileen (Bob), Phyllis (Bill), and Leonard. Betty is survived by four children: John (Peg), Kathy (Albert), Mary (Scott), and Carol (Pete); ten grandchildren: Rita (David), JT, Emma, Molly, Alice, Joanna, Nicole, AJ, Torben, and Vincent; her sister and close friend Lucille Fleischmann; and her sister-in-laws Dorothy Fleischmann, Della Troup, and Edith Troup. Betty's family would like to thank the Weatherly Inn and the Home Instead Senior Care organization for the tremendous nursing support they provided to Betty. A Rosary will be held on May 5th at 7PM, at Gaffney Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Cross church at 11AM on May 6th, with interment following at Calvary Cemetery. The family requests that any memorial donations be made to Guadalupe House in her name, either online at http:/www.tacomacatholicworker.weebly.com or mailed to 1417 South G Street, Tacoma WA 98405. Please leave online condolences at www.gaffneycares.com. Arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home, 253-572-6003.