Elizabeth Gutoski

Obituary Elizabeth Rushing Gutoski 6/26/1920 - 5/1/2008 Betty Rushing was born in Augusta, Arkansas. She was the eldest of nine children born to Fred Sylvester and Lillian Omaya. At the age of sixteen Betty's mother passed away and she took over the care of her younger siblings. Betty was a very determined and hard-working woman. She was able to care for her siblings, graduate from high school and go on to Nursing School. In 1944 Betty and her sister Top boarded a train in Chicago headed for Tacoma. They were planning on visiting their father who had since moved there. Seated across from them was a handsome paratrooper named Walter Gutoski. After a ten day courtship they were married. Betty's nursing career spanned thirty-seven years. She worked at Tacoma General, and as an Industrial Nurse at Tacoma Smelter, Kaiser, and Hooker Chemical. Her proudest contribution to nursing came in 1957 when she began her career as Coordinator of the Practical Nurse Training program at Bates Vocational School in Tacoma. She retired from Bates in 1979. After retirement Betty and her daughter Sallaye formed Family Flowers and Catering. Betty had many interests and she excelled at them; sewing, gardening, cooking. Betty and Walt were award winning rosarians, Consulting Rosarians, Judges, and past Presidents of the Tacoma Rose Society. The two shared a passion and friendly competition when it came to growing roses. In 1977 Betty formed the Jr. Rose Society. She was a member of Westgate Garden Club. Faith was an important part of Betty's life. She and Walt were active members at First Baptist Church. In 1994 Betty suffered a stroke. Because of her well known drive and optimism she was able to live and love for another fourteen years. She is preceded in death by her husband Walter, her parents, brothers Sam, Lawrence, John, Fred (Laura), George, sister Alice (Albert Waller) and brother-in-law Jim St. Martin. Betty is survived by her son Stan (Jan) and daughter Sallaye (Brian) Hoff, grandchildren Kelley Flamoe, Amber Hoff, Ken Gutoski, Jeff Gutoski, and five great grand-children. As well as sister Polly St. Martin, brother Bob (Elaine) Rushing, sister-in-law Darlene Rushing, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family is thankful for the care Betty received from the Weatherly Inn, Manor Care Gig Harbor and Franciscan Hospice. A Celebration of her life will be held on Saturday May 17th, 11:00 am in the chapel at Urban Grace Church, Tacoma. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Urban Grace Church, Tacoma.