Obituary of Betty Fugich

Betty Fugich Betty Joe McCollum Mead Fugich (1941 -2013) was born in Asheboro, North Carolina to Hazel and Vernon McCollum. She grew up in the small town of Randleman where she graduated from high school in 1960. Betty was a Navy wife for 23 years and lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, South Carolina, California, Florida, and Washington, making her final home in Yelm where she lived for the last 30 years. Betty was happily married to Jerry Fugich for the last 42 years. They have three children (Jackie, Robert, Helen), children’s spouses (Leslie, Rob, Melina, Dawn), seven grandchildren (Jeff, Kaily, Matthew, Chase, Chance, Hazel, Dan), and six great grandchildren (Tiason, Cassie, Jeffrey Jr., Tim, Alisha, Makaila). Betty’s mother, Hazel McCollum (age 91), and brother, Jimmy McCollum, still live in North Carolina. Betty loved children, books and learning, which is evident by her teaching in the Yelm School District as an elementary special education teacher for 22 years. She graduated with a BA in Special Education from Saint Martin’s College in 1989 where she was a selected as a member of the “Society of Fellows of Saint Martin’s College.” She later received her Master’s degree from City University in 1995. Betty had a sweet Southern accent, believed in helping others whenever possible, recycling to protect the earth, was a foster parent for several years, a member of Yelm Methodist Church, loved animals, and most of all enjoyed being with her family and friends. She loved people no matter what their station in life was; she strongly believed we are all God’s children. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the Yelm Methodist Church, 408 Second Ave., Yelm, WA 98597, or the Yelm Dollars for Scholars – Betty Fugich Memorial Scholarship, P.O. Box 837, Yelm, WA 98597. A “Celebration of Life” for Betty will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at the Yelm Methodist Church. All are invited to attend to celebrate a beautiful life and a woman loved by many. Please leave memories of Betty or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.