Elizabeth Flanagan

I had so much fun working with Betsy at NCQA reviews and teaching seminars. We travelled all around the states and got to meet each others family. She led a remarkable and exciting life, between travelling around the world with Bill, being the President's wife at the college, and her NCQA responsibilities and her family. She always asked about my family, grandkids and "Grandpa Sy" and we exchanged holiday newsletters annually. I always looked forward to yet another project or review with her....

Betsy's last email to me was an animated greeting card. A white-pawed black and white kitty pounced from the floor and into a still-life painting of a sweet, colorful garden that came alive once the kitty gained entry. Sipping from a plate of milk, playing with a ball of yarn, chasing bugs--happy kitty. Betsy died six days after sending this email. I think of it as a last gift from a good friend.

Betsy was my dearest friend from college. We met our first quarter and became fast friends. She gave me more gifts, true treasures of life, than I can recount. No matter where our lives took us over the years, I always knew she was "there." Now "there" is a big hole.

Bill, please know I am thinking of you and still sending you that big hug. I know that the obituary said "private" burial, but if you let me know when and where, I will do everything I can to be there.

For me, Betsy was a boss, a mentor, and a friend, and while I value all three immeasurably, it's the friendship that I'll cherish and miss the most. She hired me at the Wilson health Center in Rochester, N.Y., and helped me grow into a position of no small responsibility ....her job, when she left. I learned from her again as an ambulatory care surveyor at the Joint Commission for several years. I was fortunate that over time a wonderful friendship developed that we maintained right up to...

I worked with Betsy for 12 years and was her friend for 16. One of the many things I loved about Betsy was she could handle anything, any problem, with thoughtfulness and spirit. She could tell me I was wrong in a way that I'd be grateful. She could mediate between right-brainers and left-brainers and have us all feeling like we were doing our best. She could energetically push an NCQA team through a long hard day reviewing a cranky health plan, then be the most vivacious person at the...

President Haden: I am deeply saddened by your recent loss and my thoughts are with you. My most recent memory was when you and Betsy visited Boston for an alumni event and we took a group picture on/around the donkey...it ended up on the front of the college's Christmas card that year. While at Wesleyan I always appreciated Betsy's smile, her warmth, her true passion for the college and its students...a first class individual.

Where to begin? I am deeply saddened at the loss in my life of one of my closest and dearest friends. Betsy and I shared both life and death together. We could laugh over the silliest of things. I will always hear her saying,"Now Kathy!" We shared a passion for Planned Parenthood, politics, good books and lively discussions. We kept in touch across the miles and even traveled to see each other. We played and worked together well. We even had plans to go to the Pendelton Roundup...

Betsy had a gift I can only describe as "infectious enthusiasm!" She could take a topic that would otherwise make a Federal Register seem inviting, and turn it into a lively, animated discussion that was at once engaging, participative and educational. She enriched us all, in multiple ways...and repetitively, and left us blessed recipients of her enjoyment of life & people!

I had the privilege to work with Betsy at NCQA for surveys and update training sessions. Her energy and enthusiasm touched all those around her and provided inspiration to become your best. I will miss those moments in which we shared bobcat cookies and coffee together. God bless you Betsy.