Elizabeth Loring

Betty (or, as you may know her from her voicemail, Liz, or Elizabeth) Loring died on September 9, 2026, in Tacoma, Washington. At 85--though she claimed for many years to be 39--she remained feisty until the end. She was a cherished mother, grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed.

Betty was born Elizabeth Ann Craig in Columbus, Montana on April 29th, 1941. Throughout her life, she proudly referred to her roots in Big Sky Country. She grew up the youngest of six children and recalled long hours helping her parents, Bill and Hazel, run the family-owned log cabin motel (Riverside Guest Cabins).

After graduating from Eastern Montana College of Education in Billings, Betty accepted a position with the Tacoma School District and boldly moved two states west. She developed a reputation as a strict, deeply caring teacher (she would say, “you can loosen up later, but you have to be firm at the outset”). Eventually, she found herself teaching some of the children of her former pupils. At some point, a colleague and friend invited Betty to join the Gunsan Sister City Committee, which led to a memorable trip to South Korea and many years of service. After 35 years teaching kindergarten, she hit play on “Take This Job and Shove It,” packed up her room, and retired so she could devote more time to other passions – reading, watching BBC mysteries, and beating all her friends and family at cards, cribbage, and dominoes. Betty was not a gracious winner.

In retirement, Betty also picked up several new interests. She embarked on crafting adventures from wood carving to card making. After she survived breast cancer, she could be found participating in Relay for Life. And she traveled across the Atlantic a few times, where she created memories around a pint of Guinness at the source, the Craig tartan in Scotland, Italy’s hill country, and beyond. Perhaps the highlight was the opportunity to putter around Monet’s famous pond at his home in Giverny. Betty documented these travels by collecting pins, pencils and postcards. So many postcards.

Betty loved animals of all kinds, from her generations of spunky cats, to the older rescue dogs she took in during their shared golden years, to the ducks the family raised in the bath tub on Anderson Island and the slugs she helped across the road.

Betty is survived by her sons, Craig Seablom and Kyle Loring, daughter-in-laws Misha Seablom and Katie Loring, and grandson, Xavier Seablom. Not to mention grand cats and a grand dog, whose spicy nature took after her side.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Betty’s memory to Nourish Pierce County, your local animal shelter, or Relay for Life.