Elizabeth "Betty" Rachel Ellis

Mar 8, 1951 -

May 23, 2025

Elizabeth "Betty" Rachel Ellis, 74, of Spokane, Wash., passed away peacefully at home on May 23, 2025, after a courageous battle with metastatic liver cancer caused by neuro-endocrine tumor.

Born in Conrad, Mont., Betty was raised on the family farm that helped shape her core principles of faith, family and community. She graduated from the University of Montana in 1973 with a bachelor's degree in music. While in college, she met and married Robert Wick and they welcomed their beloved daughter Amy in 1974.

Betty began her teaching career in Montana in Centerville and Great Falls Public Schools. Betty earned her master's in music from the University of Montana in spring 1982. She moved her family soon after to Glenallen, Alaska, where she established band, orchestra and choir programs as well as teaching K-12 music. She spent the majority of her career in Anchorage Public Schools from 1983 to 2002, inspiring countless students with her tireless passion. She also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage from 1992 to 1998.

A respected leader in her field, Betty served as President of The National Association for Music Education and was honored with the prestigious Lowell Mason Fellow Award in 2003—one of the highest recognitions in music education.

Following her retirement, Betty moved to Spokane, where she remained deeply involved in her community. She pursued genealogy through Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, completed the Master Gardener Program through Washington State University despite her cancer diagnosis, and gave her time to numerous volunteer causes, including Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, Christmas Bureau Spokane and various urban green space initiatives. She continued to share her love for music and was a proud member of the Spokane Symphony, Coeur d'Alene Symphony and Project Joy.

Betty's passions were as varied as they were vibrant—she was an avid skier, camper, quilter, gardener, reader and researcher. She also cherished her time spent with her grandchildren visiting Green Bluff, going on picnics, boating on the lake, baking and entertaining, and traveling. Her Havanese dog, Millie, was a constant companion and source of joy.

Betty was known for her gentle spirit, grace and deep compassion—described by many as a caregiver to all who knew her. Her strength, humility and warmth left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

She is survived by her daughter, Amy (Tim) Dilworth; grandchildren, Hayden (Alex Yeh) Dilworth, Noah Dilworth and Kylie Dilworth; brothers, Tom (Char) Ellis, Lawrence (Joan) Ellis, Chris (Judy) Ellis and Pat (Susan) Ellis; and companion, Larry Hill. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Lawrence Ellis and Helene Adelaide Whitney; and sisters, Laura Ellis Westwell and Kathleen Ellis Van Horne.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dani, Jo, Nancy and Jessica from Hospice of Spokane, as well as to Katie Makena, Dr. Chaudry and all the staff at Summit Cancer Centers for their compassionate care.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 3 p.m., at Hennessy Valley Funeral Home, 1315 N. Pines Road in the Spokane Valley.

Donations in memory of Betty can be made in her name to the following organizations: The Coeur d'Alene Symphony Endowment, The Great Falls, Montana Symphony Endowment, Master Gardener Foundation of Spokane County, Eastern Washington Genealogical Society, McLaughlin Research Institute, University of Montana Foundation, Designation Fund 26D, Music Scholarship Fund.

Please visit Betty's Tribute Page at www.hennesseyvalley.com to share memories or leave condolences for the family.