A Lifelong Thank You: Why Bettianne Goetz Chose to Remember Serendipity Center in Her Estate Plans
In the summer of 1979, a small newspaper ad caught Bettianne Goetz’s attention — and set the stage for a relationship with Serendipity Center that has lasted more than four decades.
“They stepped in at a moment when it really mattered. That kind of care stays with you. Supporting Serendipity is my way of saying thank you — now and for generations to come.”
The ad, tucked into the Gresham Outlook, announced the opening of a new school designed for students who weren’t thriving in traditional settings. Bettianne was immediately intrigued. What stood out wasn’t just the promise of academic support, but the school’s deeper purpose: meeting students where they were, and helping them rediscover confidence, capability, and joy.
That school was Serendipity Center.
From its earliest days — when the program was small and intensely personal — Bettianne saw something special at work. The educators weren’t focused solely on grades or graduation requirements. They were paying attention to the whole person. Bettianne vividly remembers the school’s emphasis on helping students find joy in learning and in life.
That philosophy made a lasting impression.
Moved by the dedication of the teachers and staff, Bettianne became a volunteer. At the request of Serendipity’s founding leadership, she helped establish the organization’s Board of Directors and went on to serve as its chair for 20 years.
During that time, she witnessed the school’s steady growth, the development of a waiting list, and the remarkable consistency of staff—many of whom stayed for decades because they believed so deeply in the mission.
“What impressed me most was the commitment,” Bettianne says. “This was a place where people truly cared, and that doesn’t happen by accident.”
Today, that early gratitude has become a lasting legacy. Bettianne has chosen to include
Serendipity Center in her estate plans as a way of ensuring that its work continues long into the future.
“They stepped in at a moment when it really mattered,” she reflects. “That kind of care stays with you. Supporting Serendipity is my way of saying thank you — now and for generations to come.”
By remembering Serendipity Center in her will, Bettianne is helping ensure that future students and families will continue to find a place built on patience, understanding, and belief in every individual’s potential.
