Washington - Elizabeth Brackett was born December 3, 1927. The 19th Amendment was seven years old. It was a new beginning for women and a widening future for girls.

At Nob Hill Elementary School she played "boy's" hardball. Her male buddies accepted Beth as an equal but the fans didn't agree. She was "asked" to quit the team. Beth lamented, "The girls played with a bigger soft ball, weren't that good and didn't pay attention or bat well." Beth valued teamwork and honed skills as much, maybe more, than winning.

The Nob Hill incident shows how Beth's youthful zest pushed traditional boundaries. It wasn't Beth's crusade—it's her expression of who she was. Beth's list of athletic skills included: synchronized swimming, high dive, fencing, field hockey, ice skating and ballroom dancing.

At Washington State College, Beth majored in sociology. Her dad was a WSC alumni soil scientist. This gave Beth a familial affinity for the more physical sciences. She was a standout student in chemistry, biology, and physics—Beth was the only female. Obviously, she made several friends. Some friendships were long lasting and reached beyond college. Personal friends became family friends. Beth was a people-person who grew enduring relationships with endearing style.

Beth met Ray Schaaf at a return-to-college get-acquainted dance. To Ray's good fortune Beth was an English Composition classmate. Here's her recollection, "He was traveling with the WSC football team so I wrote some assigned papers for him. They weren't to his satisfaction, but I was." Beth and Ray married on February 14, 1949—Valentine's Day.

Beth and Ray moved their family to Bothell in 1957. At the time they had six children, the oldest in 2nd grade. Beth actively contributed to the grade school PTA and was awarded the Golden Acorn honor. Beth's advocacy for girls' sports contributed to this accolade. But, there was another distinguishing factor. At the time Beth and Ray had seven children enrolled in the Northshore School District. All counted, eleven children graduated from Bothell High. Go Cougs!

Beth joined the Catholic Church when she married Ray. The Church gained a valuable recruit. As a member of the Saint Brendan congregation Beth taught Catechism. She was a member of the Parish Council and served on the Finance Council. Beth transferred her PTA involvement to St Brendan's grade school. She was a member of the Saint Brendan's school commission and a served a term a PTA's co-president. As an organizer for the church's Human Concerns Stewardship she worked to help the community's poor.


After Sunday mass, Beth, Ray and friends would gather under the church's covered walkway. They shared personal and family stories. Meanwhile, their pack of kids jammed themselves into the family van. The older ones negotiated who assumed sibling watch and who was free to walk home. Those who gained leave could hear Mom's musical and engaging laugh at least a block away.

Mom, we miss you. We have the essence of your laugh to serve as our guide.

Services will be in the spring or summer of 2022.