SARGENT – Josephine Elizabeth Sargent (AKA Betty Jo), died on Christmas Day. She was the daughter of Josephine A. Sargent and Arthur O. Sargent. Born April 18, 1926 at Deaconess Hospital in Wenatchee, WA, and died December 25, 2011, in Albuquerque, NM. Betty Jo’s parents have preceded her in death. She has three living first cousins, Suzanne Hart of Palo Alto, CA, Patty Bratton of Houston, TX, and David Parker of Clear Lake, WA. Betty Jo leaves behind a host of second cousins and friends and two cats. She grew up in Chelan WA. Her father worked for the Great Northern Railroad, which allowed for many family trips criss-crossing America and parts of Canada. Betty Jo graduated from Chelan High School and attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, receiving a B.A. degree in music. Then she spent a year at Western in Bellingham, WA, receiving a Masters of Education. She participated in several education art workshops to enhance her artistic skills. The latest workshop was a trip to Bulgaria in her late seventies; and a visit to William Morris Studio in Stanwood, WA for a morning of glass blowing. Betty Jo walked softly on the earth. She was the best story teller and was invited to Santa Fe to spin a yarn or two! She was a teacher for many years in Edmonds, WA.; spent time teaching in Turkey and Germany. She began to bloom as an artist and photographer; involved in mixed media; a musician; a birdwatcher and supporter of many charities to help others. She taught English and piano to several students; pipe organ work was an additional interest, having been an organist at Edmonds Methodist Church and at St. Albans Episcopal Church. Betty Jo’s favorite travels were to visit the Great Cathedral in England and Mexico, as well as the small missions too, especially the many missions in New Mexico. She enjoyed many trips to California to visit family, loved the Olympic Peninsula, Mount Ranier, Mount Baker and journey’s to Ashland, OR for the Shakespearean festival. Betty Jo moved from Edmonds to Fort Ludlow and then again to Port Townsend to be closer to the Episcopal Church. Betty Jo’s first love was Barney, her little terrier dog. They spent hours together in a little row boat on the Lake Chelan, exploring the reaches of the shore line, stopping to fish and take a swim too! Betty Jo was an avid supporter of nature conservation. Whenever she could she would purchase the lot next door to her and make a small sanctuary for birds and raccoons and squirrels and stray peacocks, who would wander in from time to time. Six years ago Betty Jo moved to Albuquerque, NM, residing at La Vida Llena in the Northeast Heights. There she developed many new friends and her passion for watching clouds grew into a photographic documentation. She loved the view from her balcony of the Sandia Mountains, seeing an occasional Bald Eagle, Hawks and plenty of crows fly by. The Hummingbirds visited in the balcony feeder. In spite of Betty Jo’s youthful enthusiasm for life and exploring and engaging with others, her health took a downward turn and she developed acute kidney failure. Her friends here at La Vida Llena gathered around her – she made a peaceful passing. A Graveside Service will be held Friday, January 6, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. at Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley. One of her last wishes was to honor her love for animals. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Heart and Soul Animal Sanctuary, 369 Montezuma Ave. #130, Santa Fe, NM 87501.