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Elizabeth Owens Obituary

ALBANY Elizabeth (Betsy) A. Owens, 52, of Albany, died peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2003 at the Inn of Community Hospice after a brief illness. She was born in Middletown, N.Y. and was the daughter of the late Joseph P. and Elizabeth Anne Mandell Kaplenk. Betsy was a graduate of SUNY Oswego and SUNY at Albany. She was a board certified diplomate and a certified social worker. Her distinguished career has taken to her to numerous paths and accomplishments. Betsy was the National Chair for the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and initiated its Private Practice Section. She was the 1993 Social Worker of the Year for the Northeast NASW, and was recently recognized with their 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award. Betsy was the elected treasurer and member of the American Board of Examiners for Clinical Social Work. A strong advocate for social work issues, Betsy had successfully lobbied the NYS Legislature on managed care as well as campaign and ethics reform. She was currently in private practice at Parkview Mental Health in Albany where she specialized in general psychotherapy, sports counseling and forensic issues. She was a sports information specialist at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Betsy had been a longtime competitor and administrator for US Master's Swimming. She chaired a committee which impacted the direction of several professional swimming organizations. Betsy was a frequent lecturer and adjunct faculty member at HVCC and SUNY at Albany. She was actively involved in forming a committee to investigate the development of a multipurpose rowing and boating facility at the Albany Waterfront. She is survived by her devoted husband, John A. Owens; her two beloved daughters, Alexandra M. and Marissa M. Owens. She is the sister of Joseph E. Kaplenk; dear niece of Barbara Mandell, Stephen and Penelope Mandell and Rosamond Mandell. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of Betsy's life on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave). In lieu of flowers, and at the request of the family, memorial contributions may be made to Gilda's Club Capital Region New York, P.O. Box 642, Latham, NY 12110-0642.

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Published by Albany Times Union from Mar. 27 to Mar. 28, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Owens

39 Entries

Jackie giambra

December 29, 2020

I just found out that you passed away years later. You changed my life and I am the woman I am today because of your help. You are the only person I was ever able to be open with and you help me heal. I am so sad inside to hear you have passed. Until we meet again

Marissa Owens

April 1, 2004

Mom,

You have been gone for one year, one week, and a day. I miss you more than words could ever explain. You were more than my mother, you were my best friend. You always inspired me in so many ways. How you fit everything you did into a 24 hour day, I don't understand. I only hope that I can be at least half the person you were, because you were honestly the most amazing woman I have ever met. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you, not a day goes by that I don't miss you and wish that I could have just one more day with you. You are irreplaceable, and there's a place in my heart that is reserved only for you. I love you with all my heart, and I always will.

-Rissy

Douglas Koop

April 21, 2003

To Betsy's family:

Betsy made so many contributions that continue to make life meaningful to others, including the membership of Adirondack District Masters, which has added much joy and meaning to my life. She has made a difference of which you can be proud. Thank you Betsy.

Doug Koop

Kingston

scott suba

April 21, 2003

i swam with betsy for two years while i lived in albany and she always had a good sense of humor and was easy to talk to since i am very focused and introverted, she was always early for the masters workout at the albany ymca and was very interested in improving the adms and the turnout at meets and practice. She was a great person, and will be missed terribly by all who knew her and wherever she has gone she will be swimming!

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Verna Engstrom-Heg

April 21, 2003

Dear John, I remember Betsy as always being there when I had difficulties. I will miss Betsy. Love, Verna

Nancy Dearstyne

April 21, 2003

Although I only swam with Betsy briefly at the Albany Y, she was a great inspiration and friend.

Steve Kolis

April 1, 2003

Dear John & Daughters,

I'm so very sorry for the loss of Betsy. I've swam with Betsy for many years and she was a great friend that will be missed.

Sincerely Yours,

Steve and Lisa Kolis

Carol Seacord

March 30, 2003

Betsy was an inspiration to me as a social worker and private practitioner. I will miss her greatly. My thoughts and prayers to John and her two daughters.

Nancy & Keith Gunner

March 30, 2003

Thank you for all of your help, support and encouragement.

Love,

Nancy & Keith

Joseph Morotti

March 29, 2003

My sympathy goes out to your family. Although I didn't know her personally I am a member of the Adirondack Swimming Club.

Stewart Sell

March 28, 2003

John:

May God be with you at this incredible time. I wish I could do something that would help you.

Doris Tomer

March 28, 2003

Betsy has modeled conviction, passion and perseverance in her pursuit of goals she held dear to her heart. Her spirit, humor and exuberance for life will be greatly missed by all of us who were priveleged to have known her. May her wonderful husband and daughters feel some comfort and support in this time of loss.

Roy Abramowitz

March 28, 2003

I'm totally shocked! I knew Betsy from our USMS days together in the 90's and enjoyed her wisdom and friendship very much. My heartfelt condolences to her family.

Suzanne Rague

March 28, 2003

Such a loss. I will always remember Betsy's enthusiasm, commitment, and integrity. I knew Betsy from Masters swimming, and she and I were chairs of our respective LMSCs in New York at the same time. To me, Betsy is the person who saved Masters swimming in the Empire State Games. Without her multi-year battle with the state administrators, pushing them to raise the standards of the event, we would have lost this event. Another recollection - after having known and worked with Betsy for many years, I thought I knew her well. Then we happened to have a conversation about her professional life and commitments, and I realized she had facets with which I was unaware. She carried the passion she gave to Masters swimming to all aspects of her life. She was the best.

Bill Dow

March 28, 2003

Betsy was an organizer and founding member of the Albany Y Masters and continued to swim with us until it was too painful. We will miss her constant smile and friendship, especially the gab sessions before and after practice. While swimming, her steady and strong strokes were comforting to us who swam in her wake. Without her, the pool (and this earth) will not be the same. Our thoughts and prayers are with John, Alexandra and Marissa.

Don Pickett

March 28, 2003

John and Family,

Sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.

Pickett Simpson

March 27, 2003

May all the love and memories which you and your family shared, remain in their hearts forever.

Nelda Spyres

March 27, 2003

Betsy was an inspiration to me as a social worker and as a woman. She was a great leader and I will miss her greatly. Betsy had a way of getting things done and contributed so much to the social work profession. Her daughters are both wonderful young women and will emulate their mother's compassion.

Kevin Ahern

March 27, 2003

We knew Betsy through Masters Swimming - what a warm, friendly, and happy swimmer she was - she brightened up our meets. And what a great job she did for ADMS. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her husband and daughters.

Peggy Gummoe

March 27, 2003

My memories of Betsy carry over my lifetime. We met at age 6, and remained close through college. Our adult journey(s) put some geographical distance between us, but she remained a vivid part of my life and memories. Our separate paths were kept connected through our chosen careers of Social Work and Private Practice. Betsy was a friend, classmate, roomate,confidant, and colleague. I will miss her , and my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with her family. Peggy Gummoe, Tampa, Fl.

Ginger Pierson

March 27, 2003

My condolences to the family of Betsy in this time of your loss. Love Ginger

Marcia Marcantonio

March 27, 2003

Betsy and I shared enthusiasm for fitness swimming, dancing nights out at convention, and singing Barbara Ann at the the Karoke night at the Louisville convention. She will be remembered and missed at each convention that I attend. We also shared some of the San Antonio sights when she visited on business a few years ago. God bless her family and give them joy in her memory.

Todd Caruso

March 27, 2003

Betsy was always fun to swim with at the Albany Y. She was a very nice person.

Karin McGinn

March 27, 2003

I am very saddedned to hear of Betsy's passing. We went to high school together and I have wonderfully warm memories of what a lovely person Betsy was and the good times we had together.

Sincerely, Karin Hardick McGinn

Linda Simkin

March 27, 2003

Betsy and I shared nunerous happy hours in a number of pools over many years and she introduced me to Olympic Kayaking. I will always admire her enthusiam, intelligent leadership, willingness to contribute to community and devotion to family.

Jim Miler, MD - President, USMS

March 27, 2003

Betsy will be remembered for many wonderful characteristics. United States Masters Swimming will remember her as a pioneer in belief that USMS should serve as a vehicle to promote the interests of the fitness athlete. She gave new perspective to an organization that was, at that time, strictly competitive. We are forever indebted to her for this insight. We shall all miss her.

Meg Smath

March 27, 2003

I will miss seeing Betsy at the U.S. Masters Swimming convention this year. I always looked forward to seeing her smiling face, and hearing her very sensible comments. She had a talent for seeing through the nonsense straight to the heart of the matter. She was gentle, kind, generous, and sensible: rare qualities to find all in one person. She will be greatly missed. I send my sincere condolences to her friends and family.

John Ogden

March 27, 2003

God Bless You Betsy. Your were a great inspiration to me in my time as ADMS Chair. I'll always remember"you smile!"

Nancy Ridout

March 27, 2003

It was my great pleasure to know and work with Betsy over the past 15 years. She was instrumental in the development of "Building A Successful Masters Club" in both the research and writing. She was someone who could be counted on to complete tasks she undertook with intelligence and enthusiasm.

Betsy was fun to be with and brightened up any room she was in. She has been a valuable force in the Masters Swimming program locally, regionally, and nationally for many years and will be greatly missed - but not forgotten.

Nancy Ridout, Immediate Past President

United States Masters Swimming

Michael Laux

March 27, 2003

We will miss Betsy greatly in Masters swimming. She was always a friendly face with a good idea.

My prayers go to her family.

Mike Laux

Julie Paque Heather

March 27, 2003

Betsy, and the many contributions she made to the sport of swimming, will be greatly missed. Her absence will be felt at convention. I would like to extend my sympathy to Betsy's family and friends.

Ann Svenson

March 27, 2003

Betsy was a great friend, a companion in and out of the water and my mentor when was the "Adirondack Chair" for Masters swimming. I can't describe the loss I feel.

Doug Church

March 27, 2003

What a wonderful spirit and positive force for good. She will be missed by her many swimming friends around the country.

Scott Petrequin

March 27, 2003

Knowing Betsy was an enriching experience. Her generosity and openess towards others will always be remembered. Her enthusiasm made her a natural leader and a wonderful Chairperson of ADMS. She will be sorely missed.

Leo Letendre

March 27, 2003

After many years of having Betsy with us at the United States Masters Swimming annual meeting and bringing a rational voice and at the same time a fun-loving attitude, she will be deeply missed.

Peggy, Rick, Matthew Sickmiller

March 27, 2003

Betsy will remain in our hearts forever.

Dan Miller

March 27, 2003

I am very sad that Betsy has left us as she was such a dear person who constantly gave advice and friendship. Even though I never actually met Betsy, she was very instrumental in my life over the last 8 years. Goodbye Betsy.

Nancy Van Ast

March 27, 2003

Betsy, Kathy Meany & I swam many a mile together. She was a powerful competitor and wonderful friend. The world truly is a better place because of her.

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