Elizabeth Boatwright Updike

UPDIKE, Elizabeth Boatwright, of Danville, Virginia, died at her home on Wednesday, September 24, 2008, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the daughter of the late John Guerrant Boatwright and Mary Archer Glass Boatwright, and the widow of Glenn Brady Updike Jr. M.D. of Danville. She was predeceased by one brother, Robert McDearman Boatwright. She graduated from Stratford Hall in Danville and Mount Vernon Junior College in Washington, D.C. She is survived by one sister, Carter Boatwright Afflick and her husband, Charles Willis Afflick, of Blytheville, Arkansas. She is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth Leigh Updike Braun and her husband, John, of Alexandria, Virginia; two sons, Glenn Brady Updike III and his wife, Hazel, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and John Boatwright Updike and his wife, Sandra, of Charlottesville, Virginia; four grandchildren, Bronwyn, Julia, Brady and Haydn Updike; two nieces, Carter Afflick Whisenhunt and Sally Afflick; and one nephew, Charles Willis Afflick Jr. She was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, where she was chairwoman of the committee that founded the memorial garden in memory of her mother. She was also co-chairwoman of the committee to establish the roof garden at the Danville Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Gabriella Garden Club in Danville, the Garden Club of Virginia, and the Danville Golf Club. Mrs. Updike was a member of The Heartstrings singing group, and participated for two years as a singer and dancer in the annual "Follies" sponsored by the Wednesday Club of Danville. She was an avid supporter of the cultural and performing arts in the community. She volunteered at the Free Clinic of Danville, and was a committee member of the University of Virginia's Friends of the Children's Medical Center. Briefly, she served as Chairman of the Board of Carter Glass & Sons Publishers in Lynchburg, Virginia, succeeding her mother in 1979. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, September 27, at 2 p.m. at the Church of the Epiphany, 731 Main Street, in Danville. Inurnment will take place at the Church of Epiphany Columbarium for the immediate family prior to the memorial service. The family will be receiving friends at the residence. In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Updike requested that donations be made to the Free Clinic of Danville, 133 S. Ridge Street, Danville, Virginia 24541. Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, is in charge of arrangements.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.