Elizabeth “Bettie” Jeanne Vanderport

Elizabeth Jeanne Vanderport (Bettie) passed away on October 19, 2016.

She was born to Wladyslawa and Felix Stachelski on July 8, 1926 in Superior, Wisconsin.  Bettie was the youngest of their eight children.

She spent her childhood in both Superior and Milwaukee.  With seven brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews nearby, Bettie was never without playmates and adventures.  She spent countless hours in Milwaukee’s Washington Park and her favorite candy store on Martin Drive.

Bettie was the daughter of Polish immigrants.  She was fiercely proud of her heritage and spoke fluent Polish.

During World War II, Bettie, then 18 yrs old, and her sister Anne, moved to Washington DC.  Anne joined the Marines and Bettie worked for the General Accounting Office.

After returning to Superior, Bettie attended a friend’s Christmas party where she met a handsome young man, Alidor Vanderport.  They were engaged and then married on August 11, 1948.

Bettie and Alidor were married for 65 years. They moved to Mukilteo, Washington in 2013 to be near family.  She lived there until her passing.

Bettie was preceded in death by her husband, Alidor; her parents Felix and Wladyslawa Stachelski; and her sisters Martha Wizner, Stella Michaels, Alyce Sloan, Agnes Ullmer, and Anne Kornhoff; and her brothers Joseph and Edward Stachelski.

She is survived by her four children; Valerie (Brian Hollingshead), Jefferson (Maureen Massey), Greg, and Craig.  She is also survived by her grandchildren; Zachary Vanderport, Sarah Puzycki (Nick), Libby Hollingshead (Nick Brooks), and Olivia Hollingshead.  She was also blessed with three great-grandchildren- Cylas, Faethe, and Opi Puzycki.

Bettie always had a lovely sense of style and grace. She enjoyed fashion.  She also loved her Green Bay Packers and could be heard yelling “Go Pack Go!” while wearing her #12 jersey! We will remember our mother as a kind and loving mom with a sense of humor and sass. She loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and we will hold her in our hearts forever.

Bettie will be interred at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 29, 2016.  There will be a celebration of her life in December in Everett, Washington.