Heart aneurysm claims Betty Marquardt, activist

Betty Marquardt, Sisters area resident and political activist, died April 26. She was 73.

According to her family, Betty had been at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend since Tuesday, April 22, when she began to suffer from internal bleeding.

"She looked good, like she was coming out of it," said her daughter, Barbara Inskeep. However, Marquardt had suffered a serious arterial aneurysm and died at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

"She was fighting until the end. She would," said her daughter. Betty had a history of blood clots and her family was told that Betty's involvement in community issues caused hypertension which contributed to her death.

Betty and her husband John had three children: Patricia Beckingham and Mike Marquardt, both of Bend, and Barbara Inskeep of Anaheim, California; and six grandchildren.

Betty Marquardt was locally renowned for her tireless battles over land-use issues in the Sisters area. Frequently she unearthed facts and elements of the law unknown even to land-use professionals.

She did not always win. That did not keep her from being involved and again taking up the charge if she felt that land-use policy was not being accurately and faithfully followed. She often forced the debate to cover issues that had been improperly swept aside, or ignored in the rush to get things done.

Through her involvement, Betty contributed to the democratic process.

"Even as an opponent, Betty was always very professional and polite. She never let her arguments become personal," said a local attorney, with respect.

Services will be delayed until July, when all the family can attend. They will be announced at that time. In the meantime, remembrances may be made to Sisters Habitat for Humanity or the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

Her family also urged area residents to follow Betty's example, get involved and volunteer