Betty Joan (Salsbery) Dionne passed on Feb. 17, 2013, at the hospital in Coeur d’Alene, after a stroke and fall at her Post Falls home on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. She was born Sept. 6, 1922, the youngest daughter of Claude Salsbery and Matilda (Nelson) Salsbery, in Crosby, N.D.

While a teenager, the family moved to Malta, Mont., where she met Harvey Urban Dionne. They married June 21, 1943, as Harvey was headed to Europe with the 8th U.S. Army Air Corp, where he served with distinction in both North Africa and England, as a B-24 crewman. During World War II she built aircraft that helped win the war at Boeing. After the war, they returned to Malta and began their family. Six children were born in Montana: Karen, Douglas, Gregory, Kenneth, Stephen and Robert. The family moved to the Silver Valley in 1959, where Debra was born in Wallace. Gregory and Steven both preceded their mother in death, as did Harvey.

Betty was a homemaker with a strong sense of duty to her community. She was the school secretary at Canyon Elementary (near Cataldo) for many years before retirement. After moving to Post Falls over 20 years ago, she prepared meals for others needing help in her neighborhood and volunteered in the Senior Center where she was part of a group affectionately known as the “Bag Ladies,” preparing Meals on Wheels for senior citizens in Post Falls.

Betty is survived by five children: Karen Smith (Gary), Florida; Douglas (Eileen); Kenneth and Robert (Cindy), Kootenai County; and Debra Stage (Morgan), Eagle; eight grandchildren: Richard and Sheryl, Texas; Jeremy, Post Falls; Dusty, Post Falls; Amanda, California; Stephen Jr., Post Falls; Paul, Washington and Matthew, Kootenai County; and great-grandchildren in Texas and Idaho.

At Betty’s request there will be no memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Betty to the Post Falls Senior Center, P.O. Box 418, Post Falls, ID 83877, or a charity of your choice.