Obituary of Aline Ross Bethune

Aline Ross Bethune was born to Alfred Curtis Ross and Bessy Dunn Ross in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 23, 1911. She joined her one year old sister Elizabeth at home. She entered Heaven on December 26, 2010. A private memorial service was held the evening of December 29, 2010. Aline was raised in Pittsburgh and was salutatorian of her high school class. She won a full academic scholarship to Margaret Morrison School for Women of Carnegie Mellon University. She graduated with her baccalaureate degree in 1932. Aline's working life began with employment at a social service agency in New York City. She later accepted a position as the administrative assistant of Dr. Ora S. Duffendack, a physicist working for the University of Michigan. Later Dr. Duffendack accepted a position at Philips Corporation in New York state and Aline continued on as his administrative assistant. While working in New York state Aline met Angus Bethune of Kellogg, Idaho, a friend and professional contact of Dr. Duffendack. Aline and Angus were married in White Plains, New York on May 22, 1948. The Bethunes made their home in Kellogg, Idaho from 1948 to 1964. While there they became parents to two daughters. Christine Louise and Janet Martha. During those years Aline was active in their church in both music and children's ministries. She was elected President of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women after having contributed much to that organization for several years. Aline enjoyed being involved in her daughters' activities, including being a Girl Scout leader and being active in the PTA. The latter part of Angus' career involved moves to Montreal, Canada in 1964 and to LaSalle, Illinois in 1967. During those years Aline continued to raise her girls to maturity. After Angus' retirement in the mid-seventies, the couple moved to Spokane, Washington. Angus passed away in 1993 and Aline moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1995 where she lived until her death. Aline and Angus were known for their life-long support of the Episcopal Church and for their generosity to many charities. Aline was known by her friends and family for her intelligence, wit, and her empathetic heart. She was particularly adoring of her eight grandchildren and her four great grandchildren. Aline is survived by her daughters, Dr. Christine (Dr. Kirk) Harmon of Tacoma, Washington, Janet (Ronald) Unzicker of Mark, Illinois, granddaughters Dr. Gwen Unzicker, Tracy (Timothy) Unzicker Durey, Beth Harmon, Sarah Harmon, and grandsons Seth Unzicker, Kyle (Catherine) Unzicker, Luke Harmon, and Ethan (Cristina) Unzicker. She is also survived by two nephews, two nieces, and four great grandchildren, Isaiah, Samuel, Elisha, and Elyse Durey. She was preceded in death by her husband Angus Bethune, her sister Betty Smith, and her great granddaughter Hosanna Jael Unzicker. Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association or ChildFund International.