BETTYAN ”POPCORN BETTY” HOWARD
April 3, 1928 ˜ February 22, 2019
Bettyan “Popcorn Betty” Howard, 90, of Vancouver, WA, passed away Feb. 22, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born on April 3, 1928 to Malcolm and Margaret (Fitsimones) Burbridge in Omaha, NE. Bettyan moved with her family to Vancouver in 1942. She graduated from Vancouver High School in 1946 where she was involved in sports and went on to play semi-pro softball.
Bettyan started her working career at the old Castle and Liberty movie theaters in Vancouver.
She was married for a short time and would later go on to raise four children on her own. Bettyan was a very strong lady devoted to raising her family. She was dearly loved and admired by her family and many friends.
Bettyan returned to work for the theaters in 1965 and was Manager at the Kiggins Theatre until 1996 when it closed. She worked at the Vancouver Mall Sears store in security until she retired in her late seventies. She may have been best known as Popcorn Betty for the popcorn business she owned supplying fresh popcorn to area theaters and schools.
Bettyan is survived by her three daughters, Stephanie Leckwold (James) of Battle Ground, WA, Bridget Falco of Chandler, AZ and Nancy Lecouris of Vancouver, WA; grandchildren, Shaun, Greggory, Elizabeth, Mychal, Jennifer, Brittany and Branic; great-grandchildren, Bailey, Nicholas, Kelly, Sydney, Ryan, Stephanie, Reed, Piper, Ella, Olivia, Titus, Sebastian, Vivian and Evelyn.
She was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Howard.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Kiggins Theatre, downtown Vancouver, Sat., March 9, 10:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
Please sign her guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
I just found out 2 days ago, and my heart was broken, I am so sorry to hear about your mom. I worked for her for a few years and I loved her so much. I have thought about her lots through out the years and have told my children about the great times my sister and I had working at kiggins. Bettyann will always be thought of fondly and missed.
Cynthia
March 25, 2019
My name is Alicia and I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Popcorn Betty. It seems so unfair that death should have the power to take away someone you love. And when it happens, the thought of never again being able to talk to, laugh with, or hold your loved one can be most difficult to bear.
The Holy writings promise a time when your loved one will be brought back to life right here on earth but under very different conditions.
March 13, 2019
Bettyan was an amazing mom and neighborhood friend. I have many memories of having sleep-overs at the Howard home and having lots of laughs with the entire family. Cherish your memories and know you are in my thoughts.
Sincerely,
Karla Parsons Schlosser
Karla Schlosser
March 11, 2019
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of such an amazing women.
C. Hansen
March 7, 2019
Our hearts are heavy with the passing of Bettyan. Working for Bettyan at the theatre was a family tradition. She became a part of our "team" and "family". We carried on the "team" at Sears and formed many memories over the years. We will hold tight to the memories of teaching Bettyan how to operate camera systems, to late night gatherings shooting pool with us after work. We have many fond memories of summer BBQ's and volleyball games that she loved. Gone but never forgotten!
With sympathy,
The Dohman and DeLong Families
Amie Dohman
March 6, 2019
So sorry to read of Bettyan's passing. Such fond memories of her as my very first boss at the Kiggins and of all the skills she taught me to help my career.
She came to my retirement party and I was able to have her (my first boss) and my last boss present after working 47 years.
Thank you for the great memories, RIP. Take care to Stephanie, Nancy and Bridget.
Scott Keller
March 6, 2019
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