Mary Beth Watkins was born April 3, 1954 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Audria and David Watkins. She took her last breath in Bellingham, Washington, on October 8, 2026, succumbing to a brief illness while in hospice for early onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Known as Beth, she was a passionate, creative, and thoughtful person whose energy, generosity, and beautiful sense of humor left a lasting impression on those who knew her.

Beth studied biochemistry at New Mexico State University and went on to build a three decade-long career in homeopathy. She served as Director of Scientific Affairs at Botanical Laboratories Inc. in Ferndale for 16 years, where she developed new products and oversaw regulatory compliance and labeling. She later spent ten years as Director of Product Development and Compliance at another company. Throughout her career, Beth was a respected leader in the homeopathic industry, serving on the board of directors for the American Association of Homeopathic Pharmacists (AAHP) and contributing significantly to the Homeopathic Pharmacopeia Convention of the United States (HPCUS).

Beth met Steven F. Wright through a mutual friend and had a long-distance relationship for six years until deciding in 1999 to ‘make a go’ of it. However, Beth had been in a previous marriage and was reluctant to remarry: Steve asked her ‘Okay, what will it take to marry you?’ Beth said ‘At least a carat and a honeymoon in Paris!’, to which Steve immediately replied ‘Done!!’. Beth’s house in Bellingham was too cramped, so the two looked all over for a place to grow together. Steve wanted a water view: Beth wanted a big garden. They finally ended up finding land and building their dream house on Lummi Island, where Steve took a knee on the floor of their dining room and proposed (with more than a carat) on Valentine’s Day. They were married in an elegant and intimate ceremony at Lairmont Manor in Bellingham in July 2000 and of course took a fabulous honeymoon to France with Paris as the highlight. They lived on Lummi Island for 22 years, with Beth creating a stunning 40x40 enclosed garden that was surrounded in late Spring with a huge field of daisies Steve had been encouraging to grow for years. Both were envied by the local population.

Beth brought the same determination, creativity, and attention to detail to her personal life that she did to her career. She loved cooking and baking, quilting, entertaining, the outdoors, adventures, and writing poetry. She also appreciated fine food and drink, fly fishing, traveling, and discovering new places. Her work and personal travels took her to Europe 12 times, and she embraced every opportunity to experience something new.

Those who knew Beth will remember her boundless energy, caring and giving nature, quick wit, and beautiful smile. She had a contagious laugh, a strong character, and an incredible ability to organize and get things done. She always strove to grow as a person and be better to herself and others. Multifaceted, determined, positive, and expressive, Beth had a generous spirit and a sweet nature that made her special to those around her.

Beth also knew how to enjoy life. Whether driving her Jeep or Audi with the top down and the music up, tending her garden, preparing an incredible meal, or throwing a party, she did things her way, with enthusiasm. Her loved ones will especially miss her smile, her laughter, and the unmistakable energy she brought to everyday life.