Elizabeth “Betty” Kuhn passed peacefully and entered her final journey on Sept. 13, 2026. She was one of the most respected and beloved women who touched the lives of so many in Boardman, Umatilla and Hermiston life.
Born on Oct. 21, 1931 to Helena and John Ayling in Berkley, Mich., she was a talented singer and dancer who enjoyed a career as a child star on radio in the Detroit area. Her singing would also lead her to Hollywood in Los Angeles, where the family eventually settled in Pasadena. In Hollywood, she took the stage name Elizabeth Ross and with her dancing partner performed on television and talent competitions. She was known for her beautiful and natural singing voice and excellent tap dancing skill.
She married the love of her life and “the boy next door,” Wayne Douglas Kuhn in Altadena, Calif., but they eventually settled in Central Oregon and finally Boardman, where Wayne worked with his father, Edward Kuhn in their automotive business, Kuhn’s Garage.
Motherhood and being a housewife did not stop Betty Kuhn from performing. She was known for her performances in churches, weddings, funerals and at private parties at the Hitchin’ Post Restaurant. Her positive nature and joyous smile were a central feature of life in Boardman amongst all who knew her.
She went back to college to finish a degree in accounting and finance and then worked at Inland Empire Bank at the Umatilla, McNary and Hermiston branches. She eventually worked her way up to vice president and was a beloved co-worker there working alongside Doris Bounds and Jess Foster.
She was an avid golfer and happily joined her husband in golf trips and tournaments in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Betty became a polished artist and left behind oil paintings commissioned by individuals for portraiture and still life work. She took part in art shows across the Pacific Northwest and was particularly proud that one of her still life portraits hangs in the Oregon Capitol in Salem. But perhaps her biggest gift was that of humanitarian.
While working full time at the bank, she would help others in small but significant ways. Often getting up early to open a bakery when the owners were ill, working at the art store, paying for a homeless person’s lunch when she saw the need, her eye was always fixed on the needs of her community. She volunteered often and was a member of Altrusa and the Womens Banking Association. After taking writing classes, she started a small weekly article in the East Oregonian newspaper called “My Little Corner,” which ran for years. It became one of the most popular features in the paper and may have been her finest work writing about simple people and pleasures of small-town America.
When her beloved husband Wayne fell ill, she became his full-time caregiver for 10 years until his death. Doctors told her she would not be strong enough to be caregiver 24/7 for her husband, but she persevered. At one point when it was recommended that he be put in a nursing home she intervened, rented an apartment in Portland to be close to his kidney specialist to continue his dialysis, and cared for him, her mother and two dogs. She also took on the role of caregiver for her mother-in-law and her own parents and wrote a book about the caregiving experience entitled “What To Do When Mom Moves In,” which was featured in many book symposiums and lectures including the Los Angeles Festival of Books.
Betty Kuhn’s life was a life of service. She was known to say, “I cannot afford to become ill myself because I have to take care of those who need me.” She battled salivary gland cancer and won.
After the death of her husband and parents, she went on a speaking tour with her book, appearing at symposiums on caregiving. She eventually spent time in New York City, where her work was featured on several talk shows. While in New York, she lived for three years with her eldest daughter, Pamela in Greenwich, Conn. She became a member of the Greenwich Senior Center and often travelled into New York City to enjoy life in the big city. Betty formulated relationships in New York with other caregivers such as author and AIDS activist, Roger McFarlane and author and playwright, Larry Kramer. She was a devout friend and support to the LGBTQ community.
Later in life, she met and married Doug McKenna and enjoyed eight years with him living in San Jose, Calif. before finally returning to Boardman. Her daily endeavors were her art, writing, playing the guitar and cooking which continued after Doug’s death. Her positive attitude, which had fueled her throughout her entire life, was still burning brightly.
Elizabeth “Betty” Kuhn will be remembered by those who have been touched by her generosity of spirit and her selfless nature. She was a joy and a spark of the goodness that is the best in life. We are all so fortunate to have known her and her healing presence.
She is survived by her daughters, Casey Frederickson from Boardman and Pamela Kuhn from Greenwich, Conn. and extended family members, Gary Frederickson, Cody and Lexi Frederickson, Christopher Jones and Nikki and Casey Huxoll.
A remembrance will be held on Sunday, Sept. 20 at the Hermiston Cemetery, 1400 S. Highway 395 at 11 a.m. for anyone who would like to attend to honor the memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Kuhn.
Please share memories of Betty with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
