Elizabeth Marie Tuel

On Sunday, May 18, 2025, Elizabeth Marie "Betty" Tuel (nee McAllister) of Silver Spring, MD, passed peacefully at the age of 97.
Loving wife of Murray (d.2009), mother of Karen (Doug), Michael (Laurie), Christina (Bougie), Kathy (Charles) and Carol (Scott), 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, daughter of Basil and Sarah McAllister, sister to Margaret (John), Edward (Tanya), Rita (Ron) and Anne. Aunt to many nieces and nephews, beloved friend to many.
Born in Washington, DC, Betty was raised by loving parents, with much joy in their home. As her mother was a piano teacher, she learned to play piano at a young age, and enjoyed playing throughout her life. She attended St. Patrick's High School for Girls in Washington, DC. After Pearl Harbor, Betty joined the Civil Air Patrol.
Betty met her future husband, Murray, who lived in the neighborhood, and was friends with her brother, Edward. After Murray enlisted in the Marines, they began to correspond with each other, nurturing a friendship that developed into a strong marriage that would last for over 61 years (married in 1947) until Murray's death in 2009. In 1969, Betty enrolled in Prince Georges Community College, earning her associate's degree in the arts and sciences, graduating with High Honors in 1971.
One of Betty's favorite pastimes was dancing with Murray. They spent many nights together on the dance floor, excelling in swing dancing. They would later provide dance instructions to friends and family, helping several as they were preparing for the "first dance" at their weddings. Betty enjoyed listening to Big Band Music and had a special fondness for Frank Sinatra.
Betty and Murray volunteered their time at many places, including St. Martin's food pantry; the Gaithersburg Library, participating in the English Conversation Club. They each shared a passion in their faith and their commitment to St. Bernards of Riverdale, MD, and later, St. Rose of Lima, in Gaithersburg, MD. Betty shared her faith by joining Stephen's Ministry.
Betty loved to cook meals for her family. Many happy family dinners were eaten around her dining room table. She had a special talent for making flower arrangements, using greenery found in her yard. A voracious reader and lover of crossword puzzles (completing them in ink!), Betty was also a poet extraordinaire and inspired numerous friends to explore and nurture their own creative writing.
A sample of Betty's poetry:
TIME
By Betty Tuel
Mysterious, elusive, almost liquid –
It may slip away like water through our fingertips
Or hang heavily – plodding along, pulling us down
To the nether depths.
It races best when we are filled with joy –
Wishing it to stand still – forever in perpetuity.
It is measured by God's heavenly orbs.
The brilliant sun and glowing moon do pace it off
By days and nights, year after year, on into infinity –
Giving us a rare gift, daily renewable –
The chance to start our journey anew.
HOLDING ON
By Betty Tuel
A filament of hope
Cast into a sea of dread,
Holding on – holding on.
Though waves of doubt
At times engulf us,
We carry on – carry on.
While tenuous the line
That rises with the tide
We look toward the shore
Ever hopeful –
Holding on – holding on.
Betty spent the last six years of her life living at Grace House Assisted Living, making friends and actively participating in the activities for most of those years.
Throughout her life, Betty gave generously of herself, and asked for little in return. A wonderful mother, she nourished her children fully in their growth and development. Always sweet, always loving and forgiving. She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, May 29, 10:30 AM at St. Rose of Lima Parish, 11701 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Her final resting place will be in the Columbarium at St. Rose of Lima, next to her beloved husband Murray. A reception will be held in her honor in the St. Rose of Lima Parish Centre immediately following her inurnment.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Montgomery Hospice
1355 Piccard Drive
Suite 100
Rockville, Maryland 20850
American Indian College Fund
8333 Greenwood Blvd.
Denver, CO 80221