In Memoriam: Michele Raney Betts and Virgil Reynolds

Michele Raney Betts in 2018 holding Grandmother Mary Raney's silk parasol, c. 1910

Our family lost two beloved members in late spring.

Michele Raney Betts (Oct. 13, 1952 - May 10, 2020), youngest daughter of Paul and Grace Bernhardt Raney, was born on her uncle Dennis "Denny" Raney's birthday, and so was given the middle name Denise.  She grew up in the Seattle area. I met Michele for the first time at our grandparents Frank and Mary Raney's, 50th wedding anniversary in June 1960. She was seven years old with long golden curls, and I was fourteen. All I knew about her was that she and her sister Paula were tap-dancers.

Michele's high school photo

Our paths crossed again at Frank Raney's funeral in 2012, for which Michele, her husband Mike Betts, her brother Pat Raney and his wife Barbara had driven over. At the funeral luncheon we sat at the same table and, afterward, they came up to our hilltop rural home to sit on the front porch and reminisce about family. It was then I felt kinship for Michele. Two years ago, she, her niece Erin and great-nephew Quinn spent a few days here with Jay and me. Our visit was delightful. Oh, how I wish there had been more days to that visit.

Michele, Kerry (me), Quinn and Erin

Her husband Mike had one word for our bonding. "Blood." Kinship is indeed a foundation for friendship.  She is survived by her husband Mike Betts, her four children, Beau, Michaela, Anne-Marie, and Teresa, numerous grandchildren, and siblings Pat, Sandra, and Paula. You will find her full obituary HERE

Virgil Reynolds, wife Sandra Raney Reynold, her father Paul Raney and his 2nd wife Beth, 2004

For our cousin Sandra Raney Reynolds in Walla Walla, her sister Michele's passing was a double sorrow, for Sandra's beloved husband of 48 years, Virgil Preston Reynolds (1930-April 28, 2020) had died only twelve days earlier at age 89. I met Virgil only once, at my dad's funeral in October 1993, when he and Sandra sat across from Mom and me at the funeral luncheon. Not a good time for a 'getting-to-know you' chat. If I'd seen more of Virgil, I would have discovered we had common interests. He collected antique postcards and haunted auctions and estate sales. I thought of yard sales as an "Easter egg" hunts for delightful discoveries to sell on eBay. I know we would have had much to talk about. My mother, Geneva "Jean" Raney Charbonneau liked Virgil very much and, for me, that is high praise. Virgil's full obituary is HERE

Virgil and Jean Raney Charbonneau 2002

 May all who knew Michele and Virgil feel joy in remembering them.