On August 9th, 2023, our beautiful, sweet mother Ellen (Betty) Elizabeth
McLean passed. She was reunited in Heaven with our dad Christoher McLean (her husband of almost 74
years) and our brother Dennis.
Mom was born in Butte, Montana on May 25th, 1930, and moved to Bremerton, WA around the age of
12. She met our dad when he was in the Navy, and she was working in a music store. My dad said it was
love at first sight and when he left the store, he told his buddy he was going to marry her one day. They
married a short time later on May 21st, 1950, when mom was 20 years old. Dad had just finished his
Navy obligations, so they got married and were heading cross country to New York where the rest of
dad's family was. They made a stop in Spokane, WA to see one of mom's friends and mom asked if they
could stay as she did not want to be that far from her family. Dad said if he could get a job within the
week that they could stay. He got a job 2 days later, so they settled in Spokane and have been here ever
since.
Mom was a stay-at-home mom with 5 children. She rarely sat down, she was always cleaning, cooking,
baking, and volunteering at St. Paschals Catholic school where all of us kids attended. Our home was
always spotless and many of her friends would say they could not believe there was a family of 7 living
there because the house was always so clean. Dinner was always ready and on the table at 5:00pm
when dad walked through the door. She used to say she learned how to make hamburger 100 different
ways as money was often tight with that many mouths to feed and only one income. But mom would
make it work! Mom never asked for anything for herself, but always made sure we had what we
needed. She was the most selfless human being on earth, always putting others first.
We were raised in a home filled with love! Mom and dad were deeply devoted to each other and to
Christ. We prayed the rosary often and were told to always say our prayers. We never missed Sunday
Mass. We were so blessed to have been raised by two of the most incredible parents, that instilled that
love for Jesus in all of us.
Mom, you will be deeply missed but we are so happy you are reunited with dad again and no longer in
pain. Until we meet again in Heaven, please watch over us and guide us.
Ellen (Betty) is survived by: Christine Sitton (Dave Sitton), Bob McLean (Vickie McLean), Cheryl Cicchetti
and Rick McLean. Her brother Don Langhorn, her sister Patricia Guimond and her 10 grandchildren and
11 great grandchildren.