02/20/2026
February, 2026 Resident Spotlight
Betty Jane “BJ” Schmidt
A little bit about BJ!
Bj has lived at RiverWest Senior Living since 2017 and is one of the kindest people you would ever hope to meet.
She was born in 1925, and raised in West Seattle, Wa. She was the baby of the family, with her siblings 10 and 13 years older than her.
She is passionate about politics and fondly recalls a story about being in first grade and making posters for then Presidential Candidate, Al Smith. He lost the race to Franklin D Roosevelt and she was so disappointed!
She also remembers her high school class shrinking by 100 students due to the draft.
At the age of 17, BJ gave her life over to Jesus and has been walking with the Lord ever since.
She married her late Husband, Don, in 1945 and had 3 children. And in 1947, they moved to Wenatchee, where they owned Smitty’s Refrigeration for many years. BJ raised the kids and did the company books.
They were married for 30 beautiful years before Alzheimer’s required him to move into a specialty hospital and later claimed his life in 1996.
BJ is so wonderful and we are grateful she chose RiverWest all those years ago.
Do you have a favorite story or memory with BJ? Please share in the comments!
Thank you BJ, for sharing your story, and your life with us❤️
** music on this post was chosen by BJ herself! Please enjoy a listen while you enjoy her story
