Julia Hancock

1925 - 2013

Julia A. "Betsy" Hancock

SALISBURY-Julia Elizabeth Allen Hancock, 87, of Salisbury died peacefully Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake, with her family at her bedside. Known as "Betsy" to many, she was born in Salisbury on Nov. 30, 1925, to the late Lois Jennings Allen and Fulton White Allen. Her paternal grandparents were Martha P. Taylor Allen and William Francis Allen of Salisbury. Her maternal grandparents were Carrie Valesca Jennings and Wayland Hale Jennings of Rochester, N.Y.

Betsy attended the State Normal School, graduated from Wicomico High School in 1942, and received her degree in sociology from Hood College in Frederick, Md., in 1947. After 19 ½ years as a social worker with Wicomico County Department of Social Services, she retired in 1984. She was an avid square dancer, serving as president of the Ocean Waves Square Dance Club in 1990, 1995 and 1999. Together with her friend, Edward Fooks, Betsy attended National Square Dance Conventions in the United States and Canada. A longtime member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, she sang in the St. Cecelia's Choir as a child and in the Senior Choir for many years. She later attended St. Thomas Anglican Church. Betsy enjoyed her volunteer work with Korean children and their families, improving their English fluency. Keenly interested in civic affairs, she attended City and County Council meetings, voiced her opinion in Letters to the Editor and participated on committees. Most recently she served on the board of the Preservation Trust of Wicomico County. Betsy was a member of Writer's Bloc and had her short stories published. She was a 17-year breast cancer survivor. Her varied interests included local history, making needlework, canoeing, attending concerts and plays, gardening and hosting friends and family at her home.

She is survived by her three daughters, Susan Van Duyne and her husband, Ron, of Atlanta, Mary Ellen Bradley and her husband, Andrew, of Snow Hill and Cindy Weller and her husband, Ken, of Frederick, Md.; a brother, Walter Kendall Allen II of Salisbury; a cousin, William Francis Allen II of Merritt Island, Fla.; two grandchildren, Hope Van Duyne and Joseph Weller; several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. She was predeceased by two sisters, Dorothy Brittingham and Ruth Buck; as well as her companion of 27 years, Edward Fooks.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury. Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. Committal will immediately follow at Parsons Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to Coastal Hospice, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, MD 21804; Community Players, P.O. Box 2431, Salisbury, MD 21803 or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home PA at 501 Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.