Betty Valerie Baudoin

Betty Valerie Thomas was born in Townsville, Australia, on August 27, 1925. As Betty grew, she excelled at academics and piano. She met her future husband, Joseph C. Baudoin, a U.S. Army officer, while World War II raged. Betty and Joe were married in 1943. At 18, Betty headed on a troop carrier to Abbeville, Louisiana, to become part of a Cajun family. After the war ended, Joe remained in the Army, eventually retiring as a Lt. Colonel. Betty became the quintessential officer’s wife supporting the wives and careers of Army officers. Betty and Joe were blessed with two girls, Valerie and Catherine, plus a boy, Philippe. After service in the Korean War, Joe took his family on rewarding assignments to Berchtesgaden and Garmish, Germany. Managing these Army run ski areas prepared Joe and Betty for Joe’s civilian work as the assistant manager of Timberline Lodge, Oregon. Betty focused on raising three children in Troutdale, Oregon. Then, Betty became Joe’s sidekick, running Tomahawk Island Marina on Hayden Island, on the Columbia River. Joe and Betty retired to a rural home in Vernonia, Oregon, where Joe passed in 1989 at 72. Betty passed at age 99 on December 21, 2024 due to complications from Dementia. Her immediate family gathered to wish her goodbye on December 20 and 21. Besides her three children, Betty is survived by four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She will best be remembered for her charming personality. Betty will be interred next to Joe, her husband of 46 years, at the Willamette National Cemetery. Heartfelt gratitude is sent to Riverside Adult Care for taking exemplary care of Betty during her declining years.