Betsy Nickum Warren died recently in Orange, California, at age 81. She grew up on Bainbridge and was a member of the BHS Class of 1958. She moved to California at age 18 and lived all her life there, although she remained connected with the island and frequently came north during her vacations to spend time here and to visit family.
She was married for twelve years, had five children, and continued to raise them as a single mother. She worked as a sales representative for a steel company in Los Angeles before she retired in her early 70s. She was very active in Trinity Episcopal Church in Orange, heading the Altar Guild for many years and serving on the Vestry.
She is survived by a daughter, two sons, five grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. Two daughters and one grandson died before her, as did her parents, George and Bettie Nickum. She is survived by two sisters, Melanie Nickum Branchflower (Nancy) of Poulsbo and Susan Nickum of Victoria, B.C., as well as two brothers, Nick Nickum and Will Nickum, of Bainbridge Island.
She recently had a stroke, which turned out to be fatal. Her children were by her side when she died peacefully in her sleep. They all thought the world of her, as did her siblings.
Her ashes will be scattered in the waters of Puget Sound near the family home where she grew up.