Betsy Paterson

Resilient, Stylish, Graceful: The Life of Betsy Paterson
Betsy Carol (Findeisen) Paterson - resilient, stylish, and graceful - passed away peacefully on October 7, 2025, in St. Augustine, Florida, surrounded by family. She was 82.
Betsy is survived by her husband of 59 years, Robert Paterson; her three children, Carol Carrubba (husband Peter Carrubba), Robert Paterson IV, and Amy Paterson (husband Michael Ball); and her beloved grandchildren, who knew her as "Grandma Bet."
Born on August 4, 1943, in Richlands, North Carolina, to Nanny (Pettaway) and Charles Wesley Findeisen, Betsy was the youngest of four children, the apple of her parents' eyes, and a true Southern original from the start.
Rooted in Grace and Grit
The daughter of tobacco farmers, Betsy learned the beauty of hard work early and inherited a deep connection to the earth. Her green thumb was legendary. Whether a full vegetable garden or a porch full of African Violets, every plant she touched seemed to grow taller, bloom brighter, and stand a little prouder, much like the people around her.
Betsy graduated from Richlands High School. She was a lifelong learner and voracious reader. She devoured hundreds of books a year and revisited her favorites like old friends. Her personal library was a reflection of her mind: curious, imaginative, and beautifully organized.
Married to a Marine Corps officer, Betsy moved often, turning every new house into a home. She greeted every change with charm and curiosity, quickly winning over neighbors. Home, for Betsy, was always "The South." No matter how many cities, states, or houses she occupied. She arrived in St. Augustine 15 years ago to enjoy the beautiful beaches and charming community.
In the early years of marriage, Betsy dedicated herself to raising her children and creating a warm, elegant home. She was an extraordinary baker, though she rarely ate sweets herself. She stayed up late making cookies for school events and delivered homemade treats to the children's schools and nearby convents every Friday, including cakes, cookies, and her famous divinity candy.
When the children were grown, Betsy found tremendous fulfillment and success in customer service in the retail and airline industries. She always brought that same generosity to her colleagues, never missing a Friday delivery of muffins or cookies and often taking top prize at her company's annual chili cookoff.
Style as a State of Being
Betsy's unmistakable style wasn't about vanity. It was an expression of joy, self-respect, and ceremony. She never left the house without full makeup, jewelry, and heels. Her mornings began in quiet reverence: the ritual of makeup, perfume, and dressing not as routine, but as a sacred act of self-care.
Betsy loved her pets. She adored her birds, including a small green parrot, a bonded pair of lovebirds, three egg-laying parakeets, and a rescued cockatiel that followed her around and preened himself at her vanity. She especially loved her chihuahuas. The three originals were always decked out in the latest 1960s fashion. The last chihuahua, Petu, was her faithful companion and a tiny terror for 19 years.
Even after a stroke ten years ago took her mobility and much of her speech, Betsy's elegance remained unshaken. Her favorite and most clearly spoken phrase became "C'est la vie." She had never studied French, but somehow the phrase captured everything about her -- acceptance, resilience, and a quiet insistence that life, no matter how imperfect, must still be lived beautifully.
Resilience and Joy
Betsy taught her children that education, independence, and self-reliance were nonnegotiable, as were kindness, care for others, and always showing up as your best self. She believed in hard work, good manners, and the quiet power of excellent posture.
Her legacy is one of strength and polish, of homemade comfort and Southern poise. She showed us that discipline can be beautiful, that kindness can be stylish, and that there is great power in a woman who knows who she is and wears it well.
C'est la vie, indeed.
A funeral Mass will be held on November 7, 2025, at 9 a.m. at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in St. Augustine, Florida. A reception will follow at 10 a.m. in the church's Celebration Hall. St. Anastasia is located at 5205 A1A S, St. Augustine, FL 32080.