Our soccer community is mourning the loss of Elizabeth “Betty” Schmeck, who passed Nov. 7 in Lacey, Wa. Betty’s life will be celebrated this Sunday, Nov. 15, from 1-4 p.m. at the VFW Post 1949 in Enumclaw (44426 – 244th Ave. SE), with all those who knew and loved Betty are encouraged to attend.
Betty Schmeck was an inductee to the Washington Youth Soccer’s Hall of Fame in 2000 and Top 50 Soccer Citizens in 2016. She is also a Lifetime U.S. Soccer Federation Member.
The following is from the family’s announcement: “Betty had a lifelong passion of soccer. Whether playing the game herself, serving as a referee, or sharing her knowledge as a trainer and mentor, soccer was so much more than a game to her. It was a passion that allowed her to connect with, inspire, and make a lasting impact on countless lives. Her legacy will live on through all those she touched along the way.”
Beginning as a young girl seeking to play on the elementary school’s boys’ team, Betty was seemingly involved with the game virtually her entire life. She was reacquainted with soccer as a parent, fan and as player, again, in the formative years of the Washington State Women’s Soccer Association.
Beckoned to officiating, she rapidly developed into an esteemed referee. Betty’s influence extended far beyond the center circle as she coordinated clinics and became an instructor, assignor and mentor to other referees, some who have reached the highest levels of the sport. Her list of distinguished roles and appointments would fill several pages, but among her most memorable and honored assignments was refereeing Special Olympics World Games.
Betty once shared the reason she became so devoted to soccer: “I love the game and I love the kids. And I wanted to give back to the game what it has given to me. I have made friends all over the world through the game.”
