06/16/2008: "Betty Jane Miner"

October 19, 1922 - May 12, 2008

Betty Jane (BJ) Miner was born October 19, 1922 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. She died peacefully May 12, 2008 at home surrounded by family and friends. She was the youngest of six sisters who have all preceded her in death. BJ graduated from St Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in 1943 and joined the Navy Nurse Corps in 1945 serving at the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA.
It was there that she met the love of her life, Ross Miner, they married soon after in February 1947 in San Diego and started a family together. They spent 24 years moving around the country and the world until Ross' retirement in 1971.

She managed the home front raising her active family while Ross served his country in the Korean and Viet Nam wars. During those years she continued to work on and off in nursing, but always found time to do volunteer work at the numerous bases and stations where they were assigned.

Ross and BJ donated land to the San Juan County fire department and helped to build the Sunset Point fire station. She became a volunteer fireman and served in that capacity for many years.

BJ and Ross loved to travel and spend time on their boat. Each year brought another adventure - traveling the globe by plane, train or boating in the Canadian San Juans and further north.

BJ and Ross sold their dream home in 1994, when Ross's health was failing, to move closer to town and medical care, buying a house overlooking Jacksons beach.

Following his death in 1995 BJ spent even more time volunteering with the Lions, the Legion, Medical Center Guild, Hospice and at the ICC. Somehow BJ always seemed to have the time, energy and ability to get volunteers, raise money, stuff envelopes or pass along information.

BJ was always proud to represent the women in the military at the annual Memorial Day parade. Even this year with her health failing her goal was to be present at the parade.

She loved her family and her community and in turn was loved by all who knew her. BJ is survived by her three children, Eric and Donna Miner of Sequim, WA, Broge and Nancy Miner of Kansas City, MO, and Patricia "Trish" and Ron Lehman of Friday Harbor.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Erin (Andrew) Urban, Ross (Kyrsta) Miner, Nick Lehman, Tobi Lehman and Casey Lehman.

She will be missed by many, but we know she is now in the arms of the love of her life, once again enjoying his smile and his love.