Elizabeth "Betty" Michell

Elizabeth "Betty" Michell of Gladwyne Pa, formerly of Hilton Head Island, SC died peacefully at Waverly Heights after a short illness on Sunday, March 19, 2023. She was 92. Born in Ardmore PA on November 14, 1930, Betty was the daughter of Evelyn and Harold Baxter. Betty attended Mount Vernon Seminary and College in Washington DC and started her career at the CIA. Shortly thereafter she returned to Philadelphia and married Samuel "Bow" Wheeler and became mother to 3 boys and threw herself into her young childrens' activities. By the mid 1960's Betty began to take an active interest in horticulture that grew to be a lifelong passion. Her horticultural journey started in 1964 when she went to work for Mrs. Laura L. Barnes who was the Director of the Barnes Foundation Arboretum and Head of School in Merion PA. Upon Mrs. Barnes' death in 1966, Betty became the assistant to Mrs. Barnes' replacement, Dr. John M Fogg, renowned Professor of Botany at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to her duties at the school, Betty became proficient in her plant knowledge and provided many detailed and interesting tours of the Arboretum to visitors and guests pointing out many of the specimen plants. It was once again thanks to horticulture that Betty began the next and best phase of her life when she met Henry "Hank" Michell, a horticultural products executive, and married him in 1977. Betty, as step Mom to Hank's two children, enthusiastically embraced her maternal role and was a wonderful and nurturing caretaker. It was in those early days that Hank and Betty were renowned for their great parties, many that would flow out into their beautiful gardens at their home in Rosemont PA. It was during this time that Betty went back to school and officially obtained her graduate certificate at the famed Barnes Foundation Arboretum School where she had formerly worked. She also volunteered every year at the Philadelphia Flower Show and was one of the volunteer experts in plant nomenclature. In addition to the Flower Show, Betty pioneered and started the Philadelphia City Gardens Contest which was a well regarded program that showcased the beautiful work of inner city communities to proudly show off their gardens in friendly competition. The Contest continued for many years under the auspices of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. When she wasn't tending to her plants or throwing parties, Betty was perfecting her backhand on the tennis courts at the Merion Cricket Club. Finally, Hank and Betty bought a home on Hilton Head Island to live out their final chapter which they did with great gusto taking up golf with fervent passion. Their house was full most of the time of friends from Philadelphia who would stop off on their way to Florida. As grandparents, Hank and Betty frequently played host to their grandchildren who appreciated all of the extracurriculars to include golf, water skiing, fishing, swimming and just hanging out. Betty had a zest for life, enjoyed people, a sharp wit, loved dogs and loved her family. She is survived by her sons, Samuel (Ellen) and William (Patricia) Wheeler; step son Henry (Trish) F. Michell 4th; 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry F. Michell 3rd; son, Harold B. Wheeler; brother, Donald K. Baxter; step daughter Rebecca Michell. Services and internment will be private. Chadwick & McKinney FH www.chadwickmckinney.com