Elizabeth Lou "Bette" Frye

1930 - 2016

Frye Elizabeth Lou "Bette" Danks Frye, passed away March 10, 2016. Bette was the daughter of Percival Samuel Danks and Nancy Burnley Danks, born in Columbus, OH March 30 1930. She was a lifelong resident of the TriVillages, a 1948 graduate of Grandview Heights High School. After a freshman year at Miami University she transferred to The Ohio State University where she joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She was enrolled in the college of Arts and Sciences earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry. During the Christmas holiday of 1949 while working as a sales clerk extra at Lazarus department store, she met her future husband of 63 years, Tom Frye, who was also working and for many years at any time of disagreement he reminded her of the generous return policy at Lazarus. After graduation she was certified by the Registry of Laboratory Technology and for the next year operated the surgery hematology lab at University Hospital. After the birth of their first child and Tom's graduation she was promoted to "Mother" and then dedicated her life to her family as wife, mother and grandmother in the roles of nurse, child psychologist, environmental engineer, gourmet cook, pool maintenance, gardener, chauffeur, decorator, Bette's interests were broad. She enjoyed books, travel, needlework, antiques, art, playing the piano. She served as a docent at the Columbus Art Museum and cherished nights as a docent at the Ohio Historical Society, Ohio Village doctor's office in costume, a blaze in the fireplace and sharing history with the visiting children. She was a member of First Community Church for 74 years. Favorite physical activities included tennis where she excelled, golf where she was frustrated and the friendships that were made at Brookside and the Wild Dunes Club. Her happiest times and most favorite activity was walking with Tom and their sheltie, Peter on the beach at Wild Dunes and down First Avenue to have coffee at Staufs on Grandview Ave. Bette was preceded in death by her parents and sister Margaret. She is survived by her husband, Tom; her sons, Timothy (Maureen), Christopher (Cherryl), Douglas (Sara); seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Nothing pleased Bette more than to share a good book with a friend. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the Grandview Heights Public Library. A family gathering will be held later in the summer and her ashes scattered at Isle of Palms, SC. "You and Peter go on ahead and we will see you down on the beach". Arrangements made by SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to send condolences and share memories.