Betty Irene (Jacobsen) LeDuc

Betty Irene LeDuc was born 8/2/1921 to Caroline and George Jacobsen, in Seattle, Washington.  Betty was a lifelong resident of West Seattle.  Her father worked at Todd Shipyard where he was employed soon after arriving from Norway.  Both parents were Scandinavian immigrants and spoke only their native tongue; both Betty and her older sister Margaret Solveig learned to speak it fluently.  The parents addressed the children in Norwegian and they would answer back in English, thus teaching each other the respective languages.

Upon graduating from West Seattle High School in 1938, Betty immediately joined the work force and remained there until she was married.   Her extraordinary typing and shorthand skills placed her at a variety of jobs during this time and she remained a dedicated and valued employee. 

In 1947, she went on an incredible trip with her parents.  Starting in West Seattle, they drove a new Chrysler sedan across country to New York where they embarked on an ocean liner to Norway.  The main purpose of the trip was to deliver the new car to the Chrysler dealer’s brother in Oslo, however this allowed for the Jacobsen family to reunite with relatives following World War II.  This was a life changing trip for Betty and over the years she vividly recounted various aspects from the journey.

While riding the bus to work one day, she spied a handsome young man who had also taken some notice of her. Betty wed Philip J. LeDuc Jr. in 1950, and they remained married until his death in 1989.  Betty was influential in starting Phil on his packaging career when she informed him of a sales opening at Fibreboard Corp., the company she was working for at the time.  Throughout his career, she was there to provide all needed skills required of an executive secretary.  It was clear that much of his success was based in part to her incredible support.  

Betty was preceded in death by her husband Phil, sister Margaret, sister Solveig (infant), parents George & Caroline (Lillos) Jacobsen.  She is survived by sons, Philip and Richard (Missy) and grandchildren Claire, Melanie, Marielle, Marc, Suzanne, and Sylvie.          

 Remembrances may be made in Betty's name to Nordic Heritage Museu(m www.nordicmuseum.org)  or  Wheelchairs for Nigeria.

A memorial service was held at West Side Presbyterian Church of West Seattle on August 2, 2016.