Add a Memory
Betsy Clark Obituary
After marrying Leon Clark, Betsy gloried in her new role as housewife and mother to their first daughter, Cindy. At the start of Leon's YMCA career, the young family moved to Tacoma, WA, where daughters Laurie and Patty were born. Subsequent moves to YMCA jobs in Klamath Falls, OR, Phoenix, AZ, and Helena, MT, provided beautiful, diverse landscapes for family adventures in the American West.
Children, books, and music were life-long passions of Betsy's, and she especially enjoyed sharing these passions with her own children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and her students. In addition to being an accomplished pianist and piano teacher, Betsy also taught general music and third and sixth grades. Ultimately, she concluded her teaching career as an elementary school librarian.
A lifelong learner, Betsy pursued her diverse interests by engaging with numerous groups in whichever locale she found herself, and she whole-heartedly devoted her creative energies to churches, choirs, and writing groups. Particularly after retiring to Sun City West, AZ, Betsy's interests in writing and genealogy flourished.
A great communicator, Betsy always brought a wealth of knowledge, compassion, inquisitiveness, and sincere interest to every conversation, and she maintained lifelong relationships cultivated through the ancient art of letter writing. After nearly 95 years of a life well-lived, Betsy will be sorely missed by all those who had the pleasure of her radiant, interesting, and interested presence.
Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her five sisters, and one grandson. She is survived by her three daughters, one grandson, and two great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held at New Song United Methodist Church in Surprise, AZ, on Sunday, March 10, at 3pm. Friends and family should feel free to wear bright colors to honor Betsy, and they are welcome to attend a light meal following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the First Church in Swampscott (www.thefirstchurch.org), New Song United Methodist Church (16303 W Bell Rd/Box 7730, Surprise, AZ 85374), St. Paul's Methodist Church (www.stpaulshelena.org), or a charity of one's choice.
17 Entries
Suzanne Mannix
October 29, 2024
Remembering a kind woman who was my daughter´s teacher many, many years ago. She was a blessing to our family with the wisdom to teach and the desire to uplift her students.
Christie Eden
March 20, 2024
Mrs. Clark was my dearly loved 3rd grade teacher. She taught me cursive, so I use skills from her class daily! I also remember her reading E.B. White´s "Trumpet of the Swan." I think she´s also the teacher who brought us back the Norwegian version of "Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer" from her travels. Her memory will indeed, be a blessing.
Tamara Brucher
March 2, 2024
My husband & I were privileged to have Betsy as our next-door neighbor for almost five years. Since we shared a mail post, I would take her mail to her door. She called me her "Mail Lady". Often, she would invite me in for a chat, & it was always a delight. I would bring her treats when I baked. In the beginning I'd tell her not to eat them all at once. Then I found out they were gone right after she shut the door, so I learned to only take her a few treats at a time. She was a very special person, & we will be forever grateful that we got to know her.
Kristy Clark
February 29, 2024
Aunt Betsy and Leon visited me in Portland years ago and encouraged me to reconnect with their girls, Cindy, Laurie and Patty. This led to years of discovery of this wonderful family and our shared backgrounds and history. She was one of the most "with it' elders in my experience . . . always thinking about the new scenes and situations, reading contemporary literature, stepping easily into the Wordl app when I last visited and introduced her to it. I cherished our connection and will miss her.
Cousin Kristy (daughter of Leon's brother, Ken)
How you can show support
Eileen Rossback
February 29, 2024
I will always cherish the time I had with Betsy and the books we read together. She was beautiful inside and out. Love and miss you, Betsy.
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
I have added some of my favorite photos of, and with, Betsy. She was always such a good listener, and was genuinely interested in our growing family. I´ll remember her always, and miss her very much.
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Peg Miller
February 28, 2024
Sally (nee Dawe) Miller
February 28, 2024
I was one of Betsy´s lucky piano students. I still play a piece at church that she taught me.
Bonnie FitzGerald
February 28, 2024
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Marge Kratz
February 28, 2024
Betsy was my Fun Betsy, we did everything together. Cooked, made soup, exercised , played cards, did wordle on computer, did our nails. I was her fixer and finder, she always made me laugh. I will miss her desperately but I have great memories!
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
How to support Betsy's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Betsy Clark's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more