Rayleen Ann Beaton

Rayleen Ann Beaton, age 92, a longtime resident of Helena, Montana, died peacefully on May 21, 2017 in Bremerton, WA. Rayleen was born March 13, 1925 in Los Angeles, CA to Ray and Aileen Haller.

Rayleen grew up in Los Angeles where she was an active Girl Scout and graduated Valedictorian at the age of 16 from Hamilton High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Foods & Nutrition from University of California, Berkley in 1945. She went on to intern in Dietetics at New York Hospital - Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Her first job was as the only Dietitian at St. Joseph Hospital, Orange County, CA. In 1950, she became the Nutritionist for the Washington State Dairy Council based in Spokane, WA.

Rayleen married First Lt. Herbert “Herb” D. Merman in Los Angeles, CA February 12, 1952. Herb was killed two months later in a U.S. Air Force B-36 Peacemaker crash at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, WA.

For eight years, Rayleen produced and starred in KERO-TV’s first cooking show, “Fun in the Kitchen” in Bakersfield, CA. From 1960-1966, she headed the Homemakers Department of the Spokesman Review in Spokane, WA under the pen name “Dorothy Dean.”

She married Richard “Dick” A. Beaton in Spokane, WA December 27, 1965. The pair moved to Helena, MT in 1967. She enjoyed volunteering at Smith School, teaching 2nd Grade religious education classes in her home for St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and gardening. She was affectionately known as the “Zucchini Queen of California Street.” She belonged to a neighborhood ecumenical bible study, played in the Ladies Golf League, and especially enjoyed her Gourmet Dinner Group with the Dowling’s, Lang’s, and O’Leary’s.

Rayleen became involved in local politics, and served as Helena City Commissioner from 1984-1991 where she helped to form Helena Food Share. She also served on the United Way Board and Civic Center Board where she ran the Christmas Craft Show for 10 years.

Rayleen and Dick retired to their home on Bill Robert’s Golf Course. Dick’s 40+ year career with Northwest Airlines allowed them to have some wonderful travel adventures.

Rayleen was known for her great Irish sense of humor and devout Catholic faith. She was active in the Cathedral of St. Helena parish and provided weekly words of wisdom as “Friar Fred” for the parish bulletin. Giving tours of the Cathedral became her passion and all-time favorite volunteer job.

Rayleen was preceded in death by her first husband First Lt. Herb Merman, second husband of 49 years Dick Beaton, and sister Jean Mayer. She is survived by her daughter Katie Walters and husband David of Silverdale, WA; son Charlie Beaton and wife Barbie of Missoula, MT; stepchildren: George Beaton and wife Dixie of Murray, UT; Mary McTigue and husband Brian of Lake Havasu City, AZ; Janet Lutz and husband Gib of San Diego, CA; and Beverly Oster and husband Jeff of Laguna Niguel, CA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

A family Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. preceding a Funeral Mass celebrated at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 6th, at the Cathedral of St. Helena. A reception will follow in the social hall of the Cathedral. Rite of Committal will immediately follow the reception at Resurrection Cemetery. Please send memorial gifts to the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing St., Helena, MT 59601.