Elizabeth Fritz Obituary

Pioneering Alaska nurse Elizabeth Berry Fritz died quietly in her sleep at her home in Anchor Point on April 15, 2009. She was 95 years old. In accordance with her wishes, no memorial service is planned. "Betsy" and her late husband, Dr. Milo H. Fritz, Alaska's legendary bush pilot, eye-ear-nose-and-throat specialist and state legislator, worked in concert to bring modern medical care to thousands of Alaskans. Elizabeth Mersereau Berry was born Sept. 20, 1913, in Elmira, N.Y. A registered nurse, she was a student at Brooklyn Hospital when she met Milo H. Fritz, a graduate of Columbia University medical school. They were married in Tioga, Pa., in 1937 and soon moved to Alaska, drawn by the tremendous medical needs of Alaska's Native people as well as the Territory's vast and breathtaking beauty. Betsy assisted "Doc" Fritz in a practice first based in Ketchikan in 1940; in Anchorage, where they moved in 1948; and finally in Anchor Point, where they later retired. They set up itinerant clinics, bringing essential medical care, by whatever means necessary -- boat, single-engine plane, or dog sled -- to remote communities throughout Alaska. "So many of the Native children were going blind and deaf for lack of medical care," Betsy said. These clinics are celebrated in a 4-foot-by-8-foot mural painted by Fred Machetanz, which hangs in the main lobby of the Southcentral Foundation's Anchorage Native Primary Care Center. Betsy was a member of the Alaska Nurses Association, serving as its first president in 1951 and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was preceded in death by Milo, who died in 2000; and sons, Jonathan and Pieter. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Helen Fritz of Chestertown, Md.; four nieces, Karen Western of Chestertown, Md., Linda Bell of North Palm Beach, Fla., Lenore Budd of Hinesburg, Vt., Barbara Schaff of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.; and nephew, Karl Fritz of Alexandria, Va. Remembrances/ condolences can be sent to: Fritz Remembrances, P. O. Box 158, Anchor Point, AK 99556. Any donations may be made to: SCF Anchorage Native Primary Care Center.

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Published by Anchorage Daily News from Apr. 25 to Apr. 26, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Fritz

4 Entries

May 1, 2009

Such a sad loss, she was a good woman, along with her husband, helping bring Alaskans to where we are today...I extend my condolences to all their family...My God Be with you in this time of loss.

Jane Langston

April 28, 2009

Dear Fritz Family,

Of Betsy and Doc Fritz I will forever cherish their memory. At a very impressionable tender age when I was sixteen years old, I was given the opportunity to work in their ophthalmology practice in Anchorage in the early 70'. My mother, Claris Syren, as head nurse of Obstetrics at Old Providence Hospital back in the 50's had worked along side Betsy and Doc Fritz. She introduced me to them many years later. Doc and Betsy trained me to become a registered ophthalmic assistant which I am still doing. When Doc invited me to go flying with him, I jumped at the opportunity. He sparked an interest in aviation and two years later I acquired my private pilot's license. They instilled in me a passion to always strive for excellence and an old fashioned work ethic. Betsy will always be remembered by me as a regal woman from a by-gone era where a nurse truly looked like a nurse. She came to work everyday in a freshly starched white dress, white stockings and polished white shoes with her nursing cap firmly attached to her simple upsweep ebony hairstyle. She was a true elegant lady in every sense, Victorian style. I am ever so thankful and grateful for how their lives so enriched mine; they were two of the finest mentors. They were true Alaskan pioneers who truly made a positive impact delivering much needed medical care to the Native population in the villages. Alaskans were very blessed to have been given such a fine medical duo team who selflessly gave of themselves at a time when it was truly the last frontier and still a territory before statehood. Their rich legacy will live on in my heart and the hearts of countless Alaskans that they touched. The passing of Betsy brings to a close an era of which they made an indelible mark. They will never be forgotten.

Fondly,

Jane (Syren) Langston

April 28, 2009

To the Fritz Family:

We were saddened to read of your loss. What a wonderful assett to the community who will be sincerely missed by all. Her benevolent ways will never be forgotten.

Elizabeth is now in God's memory with the wonderful hope of being among the many who are called from the memorial tombs to life on a righteous, peaceful earth.

May you draw comfort and strength of this and all the bible-based promises that will be realized under God's Kingdom arrangement.

Sincerely,

Connie Godwin

April 25, 2009

A wonderful woman, who was important to so many Alaskans, working at her husband's side providing health care in communities which had never had access to medical care before. Through her careful preservation of records and photos of their work in the Bush and the city, Alaskans will be able to draw inspiration for generations to come.

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