Betty Werthan

Betty Werthan

On May 18, 2020, Betty Werthan, age 88, died peacefully in her home from an extended illness.

Betty was born in Los Angeles to Mabel and Milton Kornman. She moved to Nashville at the age of three and remained a proud Nashvillian for the rest of her life. Betty attended Ransom School, West High School and the University of Michigan, before earning a masters in social work from the University of Tennessee.

Betty was married to her lifelong sweetheart, Bernard Werthan Jr., for 64 years, until his death in 2017. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Betsy Werthan (Bart Schwartz), Kay Werthan (Glenroy Bowe), Tim Werthan (Yoom), and Tony Werthan (Cathy); grandchildren, Lesley (Brian), Elijah, Claire, Justin (Hilary), Ben, Cassady and Tennessee; and great-grandson, Levi.

Betty's work reflected her commitment to community well-being. As a young adult, she was a social worker at the Nashville Mental Health Center (which became the Dede Wallace Center). In the 1980s, melding her love of people with her interest in art, she cofounded the Katzman/Werthan Gallery, which supported and promoted local sculptors.

Betty was an active volunteer throughout her life. She was heavily involved with the Peabody Demonstration School, where she served as President of the PTA and was instrumental in Peabody's transition to the University School of Nashville. Betty was always active in The Temple and for many years she helped coordinate The Temple's Room In The Inn, which serves dinners for women experiencing homelessness. She had deep ties with Nashville OIC, an organization that provides training and job placement services for underserved populations, and Family of Abraham, a group that promoted dialogue and understanding among all religious faiths. Always interested in family and children's issues, she also served on the boards of Family and Children's Service, the Jewish Community Center, Council of Jewish Women, Hickory Hall Day School, Hill Top Half-Way House and Residence for Young Women, among others.

Betty was, above all, most gracious and generous. Her home was a magnet for family and friends. An exceptional host, she often welcomed newcomers to Nashville, and she opened her home for innumerable get-togethers and fundraising events for all the wonderful causes that she and Bernard championed. Betty was a people person. She never met a stranger. She could talk to anybody and everybody, and she always made others around her feel comfortable and welcome. Her open, personable nature served her well when, in 2018, she moved to Richland Place where she quickly renewed old friendships and made many new friends.

Betty's family gratefully acknowledges the extraordinary care provided by Richard Bartley, Deborah Armstrong, Mary Neely, Alana Hamilton, Cheryl Goodloe, and Janice Jones—especially through these unusual and trying times.

There will be a celebration of Betty's life on May 31 at 10 a.m. Please contact The Temple at 615-352-7620 for further details regarding the online service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Temple, University School Scholarship Fund, Nashville OIC, Alive Hospice and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.