Longtime Bothell resident Katherine E. (Betsey) Hughes died suddenly in Seattle on Nov. 21 of an undetermined illness. Born Nov. 14, 1960, in Tacoma, Betsey moved with her family to Bothell in early 1961.
Betsey attended Northshore schools including the Secondary Academy for Success (SAS), graduating from Bothell High in 1980. She also attended Overlake School in Redmond. While attending Shoreline Community College, she was elected a member of the student senate governing board. She transferred to Western Washington University to study communications and music until health conditions forced her to suspend further higher education.
While attending college, she served as north region distribution manager for her family operated publication, The Enetai, a news feature magazine of Puget Sound. Returning to Bothell, she held production positions at the family newspaper, the Northshore Citizen, and in the early days she worked in the office and food bank of the Northeast Multi-Service Center (now Hopelink). She later volunteered at the Northshore Senior Center in food service, and, as a member of the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer in Kenmore, volunteered at the church-sponsored thrift outlet, The Butterfly. During years she attended Emmanuel Presbyterian Church in Bothell, she was a choir member.
She had coped for several decades with the diagnoses of schizophrenia and adult-type diabetes, struggling without complaint to live independently to the best of her ability. At the time of her death, Betsey held a food service position with the Keystone Resource Center in Seattle, a group living facility for the mentally ill. Her family is indebted to Betsey’s many friends, co-workers and care providers who were so encouraging and supportive throughout her life.
In addition to being a highly reliable correspondent who recognized holidays and the birthdays of many, her favorite past-times were as a fan of football, Huskies basketball and political discussion. Her passions were music, dancing and movies. She was an enthusiastic participant in family outings on Camano Island and in the San Juan Islands.
Betsey is survived by her parents, Nan and John Hughes, Bothell; brothers Tom Hughes (Jessica) of Seattle and Walter Hughes (Nicole) of Bothell; sister Patricia Skinner (Bob) of Seattle; nephew Bobby Skinner of Seattle; aunt Betty Alvord Johannson (Doug) of Medford, Oregon; and cousins in Oregon, Seattle and Idaho.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Epiphany Episcopal Church at 1805 38th Ave. in Seattle, with the Rev. Marilyn Cornwell of St. Marks Cathedral presiding. The family suggests remembrances to NAMI-Seattle at P. O. Box 173, Bothell, WA 98041. NAMI-Seattle is a family support organization, and a branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
