Betty Lou Brue Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Betty Lou (Valentine) Brue, age 88, left us on March 17, 2022. She grew up in Bellingham, graduating from Ferndale High School in 1952. She met the love of her life, Lyle Austin Brue, and these two kids were deeply in love from the day they met and couldn’t wait to start their lives together. The two eloped to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and were married on October 30,1950. The two, hand in hand, returned to Ferndale for Betty to finish high school. They later started their family, giving birth to 4 children, with a heartbreaking loss of one of their children, Jerry, at a young age. Seventy-one years later, they have been the love of each other’s lives, displaying a true example of love and marriage for all the world to see. Over their years together they experienced many celebrations, accomplishments, successes, life changing events, setbacks, adventures, heartbreak, and great love. During her amazing life, Betty started out as an employee for Safeway Foods in 1952. She became pregnant with their first child and was released from employment because of it. She would not let that stop her from starting her career. She was hired by Ben Haggen to become a cashier for Haggen foods. She worked for the company for three years before the family relocated to Seattle in 1955. While they continued to grow and raise their family in Seattle, Betty continued her career in the grocery business, becoming one of the first female employees for Quality Foods Center – QFC. Betty quickly moved into a management position and worked in the stores for 10 years until she received a call from the owner asking her to come see him. He promoted her to the corporate office. Betty spent the next 26 years growing in her position, in charge of the office, changing the culture and supporting the success of the company. As in all parts of her life, she was dedicated, passionate, loving, hard-working and tenacious in all she did. Betty always made a difference. She had a positive and lasting impact with everything she did and everyone she met. People who were blessed to have Betty in their life know they were not just friends – they became family. She always showed unconditional love to everyone she met and always had an open door and a place at the table. Betty had a deep love for all kinds of music, including an extensive vinyl record collection. She was an integral part of the Bellingham Traditional Jazz Society, where she was the treasurer for many years, extending her accounting skills and enjoying live music and dancing. Betty had a passion for shoes of all kinds and was the master of finding a great deal! Betty is survived by her husband Lyle Brue, sons Randy Brue, Jeffrey Brue, and Christopher (Janel) Lutgen, twin brother Bob (Joan) Valentine, and sister Elaine Akerstrom. Betty was also blessed to have 6 grandkids, 13 great-grandkids, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother Ida Valentine, father Harold Valentine, and siblings Helmer, Herman, and Dorthy. The positive impact Betty has had on others during her life is immeasurable and will never be matched. She will always be in our hearts forever. This is not goodbye, it’s see you later! A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 25th at 10:30 a.m. at Enterprise Cemetery in Ferndale, Washington. Please share your memories of Betty in her online guestbook.