03/28/2007: "Betty S. Gilson MD"

April 20, 1918 - March 23, 2007
Betty Gilson died peacefully in her home in Friday Harbor, with her son, Douglas, and her daughter, Judy Gilson Moody at her bedside.

Born in Minneapolis, she spent her early years in a number of midwestern communities, returning to Minneapolis for high school, where she met her life-long love, John Gilson. Together they worked their way through the University of Minnesota Medical School, marrying just before graduation. Following completion of internship and residency at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, they moved to Great Falls, Montana, to practice medicine and raise their two children in the magnificent high plains and mountain landscape.

John practiced Internal Medicine at the Great Falls Clinic, while Betty developed a keen interest in public health and the delivery of health care services, especially to the poor and disadvantaged. She served as Cascade County Health Officer for many years, established a Heart Diagnostic Center for the state of Montana, and regularly tended to the health and needs of the landless Plains Indian Tribes whose communities out lie many Montana towns. Her interest in providing health care to those who otherwise would not have access to it eventually led her to work in the Federal Regional Medical Program in Utah where she developed some of the first mobile units providing diagnostic services to isolated towns.

In 1969, Betty and John moved to Seattle where she assumed a founding role in the newly established University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. As a Professor, her gentle mentoring earned her the lasting friendship of many of her students, and, as an academician, the Sickness Impact Profile she developed has become a mainstay of current medical quality assurance.

An avid birder, Betty retired to her beloved farm on Shaw Island in 1985, cultivating forest, marsh and woodland habitat, and introducing many friends to the joys of birding. Inspired by her love for the natural beauty of the San Juans, Betty turned her attention to the islands' unique social and environmental concerns, volunteering to participate on numerous boards and committees while maintaining an active interest in promoting public health.

In the course of her public advocacy, through the turmoil attendant to the Comprehensive Plan's adoption, to the Trails Committee, several terms on the Planning Commission, Chairing the Board of Health, and more, Betty respected opposing views, listened with care, appreciated and promoted discussion, admired the order of parliamentary process, and always sought compromise and consensus. Many she disagreed with counted her as a friend.

We have lost a remarkable spirit, a gentle wit, friend.
Douglas Gilson and Judy Gilson Moody
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If you wish to honor Betty's memory, we suggest a donation in her name to:
Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
PO Box 1355
Friday Harbor, WA 98250