Betty Frost

Betty Jo (Wakefield) Frost passed away at the age of 82 on July 5, 2012 at the Coupeville home of her son, Michael.

Betty was born April 25, 1930 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, but spent most of her growing-up years in Spokane, Washington. As a young woman she attended the Cornish College of the Arts, where she met and married her husband, Russell. Within a few years they had built their life around their painting, living a rather nomadic life in various locals around the Puget Sound area from La Push to Coupeville. They finally settled on Camano Island, building what she called a “dwelling” to work and live in.

The creative talent of Betty Frost is evident in her delicate portraits and renderings of women of all ages, images that capture a range of emotions. After her husband’s death in 1996, she produced an extraordinary series of works illustrating her journey of grief. According to her sisters, Betty “was an artist inside and out. She left her art for the world to enjoy forever.”

In addition to being so talented artistically, Betty was a gracious lady with a good sense of humor, a generous mother and grandmother. She had a doll house filled with amazing miniatures, many of which she crafted herself, including tiny paintings on the walls. Betty loved to read poetry; her spiritual beliefs were free and wide-ranging. She transformed any place she lived into a space of delightful color, form, and texture.

Betty is survived by her two sisters, Patricia Oosting of Spokane, Virginia Fuller of Seattle, her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Mary Frost of Coupeville, granddaughters Melinda (Darren) Engel and Melanie (Joshua) Camp; grandsons Matthew and Michael Frost, and 5 ½ great-grandchildren.

At her request, there will be no funeral service. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and sign the on-line guest book at www.wallinfuneralhome.com.