Elizabeth "Betsy" MacArthur

Way back in the sixties, Duncan MacArthur was my dear friend, and Betsy was very much a second mom to me. Wednesday was my day to spend after school and have dinner with the MacArthur family at their home in Pennsylvania. It meant the world to me to be with them as being with them was an important respite from my own, difficult childhood situation. Betsy was always very warm and cheerful in her quiet way, and she was a loving and attentive mother to Duncan, Alan, Lizzie and, later, Donald. In...

I love seeing this photo of Betsy. Her beautiful smile, floppy sun hat, such as she would have worn while painting self portraits.

This is how I remember Betsy. I remember that at the time this photo was taken she felt pleased with her recent success losing weight. I think she did a self portrait in this hat. A line drawing, which ended up as the cover for her coloring book. Betsy, Rose and I self-published a small book each. Betsy's was a coloring book of line drawings. We also, at...

I had modeled for Betsy back in 1980 when I was a student at Marlboro College, and she became a kind of informal mentor to me at the time. Her country home, her life routines, even her preference for stewed tomatoes that she ordered from a company called Walnut Creek, her kindness, her openness and managing of her illness, and not least of all her commitment to her art, were all influential to me. I have held her dear for all these years, and I will continue to hold her in my heart in the...

Betsy called my parents flower shop often to wire out orders to her children and grandchildren for all kinds of things, dance recitals birthdays, promotions, etc. and her children often ordered fresh cut flowers or plants to be delivered to her. I always enjoyed our phone conversations, I loved to hear her brag about her kids... she was a sharp lady and a lovely person.

I have fond memories of Betsy during my years at Marlboro College. Many impromptu conversations about art and life. She was such a strong presence in the Marlboro community. I feel honored to have known her.