Elizabeth Foster DeLong

1960 - 2014

Elizabeth Foster DeLong
1960 - 2014
Resident of Menlo Park
On April 7th 2014 Elizabeth "Betsy" DeLong passed away peacefully after a year-long battle against brain cancer, surrounded by family at her home in Menlo Park. She is survived by her husband of thirty-one years, Gregory Stephen DeLong, and her three children: William Foster "Will" DeLong, Miles Robert DeLong, and Natalie Elizabeth "Tally" DeLong. She is also remembered by her sister, Martha Peabody "Muffin" Foster, her brother, Timothy Hatherly Foster, her aunt, Josephine Harding Brownback, and six nephews and eight nieces. She is preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth Harding "Beth" Foster and Hatherly "Bud" Foster III.
Born on March 24, 1960 in Rochester, New York, Betsy moved to Atherton, California, with her family when she was 7 years old. She forged life long friendships at Las Lomitas Elementary School and then at Castilleja School, graduating in 1977. Betsy continued her education at Southern Methodist University in Texas and graduated in 1981, double majoring in psychology and business. She was a loyal sister of SMU's Kappa Alpha Theta.
In a time when the industry was male-dominated, Betsy followed college to become a successful stockbroker back in California, a career spanning 25 years. In this capacity she worked at Smith Barney, Robertson Stephens, and Citibank. In more recent years, she was a constant volunteer at her children's high school, Sacred Heart Preparatory School in Atherton. Furthering her deep roots in the area, Betsy also worked at Alys Grace in Menlo Park. There she gained tremendous satisfaction from a community that connected her to old and new friends alike. Since childhood Betsy was a member of the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton and spent much time there with friends.
Betsy enjoyed spending time outdoors, walking and exercising, and loved the theater and concerts. She was an avid tennis player, and loved to compete whether she was playing a varsity tennis match during high school, or participating in Menlo Circus Club tournaments in later years.
Above all, Betsy loved spending time with her family and friends. With her upbeat, infectious personality and incredible sense of humor, those closest to her know she could have been an actress, an avocation she pursued in her youth.
Betsy often brought a whole room to laughter with her quick wit, infectious laugh, and her famous, spot-on impressions. Her open, positive nature and desire to help others, earned her the highest admiration. Poised and always elegant, she was gracious to everyone she met. Known lovingly as the "cool Californian" by her east coast relatives, Betsy always took special time to introduce others to new experiences.
Betsy was an exceptionally devoted mother and friend. She is remembered as a dedicated companion who, even in her illness, always placed the needs of others above her and gave more than she took. Her composure and decorum never faltered in the face of her imminent passing. Betsy was the light in many people's lives and lived everyday with courage, determination and honor.
A memorial service honoring Betsy will be held at 4:00pm on Friday, April 25 at Saint Raymond Church at 1100 Santa Cruz Avenue in Menlo Park.
You may honor Betsy with a contribution to the school and community she loved, Sacred Heart Schools. Please direct gifts to Sacred Heart Schools in support of the Financial Aid Program. Gifts can be made online at https://www2.shschools.org/giveonline or mailed to 150 Valparaiso Avenue, Atherton.