Elizabeth Blackwell Fowler

FOWLER

ELIZABETH BLACKWELL FOWLER "Betsy"

Betsy Fowler died peacefully on April 28, 2023. A ninth generation Virginian, Betsy was born on April 16, 1934, in Norfolk, Virginia. A 'Navy junior,' she attended schools from Annapolis to Brussels before entering Mary Washington College. After graduation in 1955, she joined the Central Intelligence Agency where she met her husband, James Fowler. They married in 1961 at Fort Meyer, Virginia.



Betsy earned Master's Degrees in English Literature from New York University and Library Science from Columbia University. She worked in the Prince George's County Public Library System from 1976, specializing in young adult services. After retirement in 1996, Betsy became very active in the Collingswood Garden Club and became a nationally certified flower show judge. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and 17th Century Colonial Dames. Betsy was also, along with her husband, a 30-year volunteer at the Washington National Cathedral.



Betsy was pre-deceased by her husband Colonel (USMCR-Ret.) James Fowler, founder of the Marine Corps Marathon, and a nephew Trevor Blackwell. She is survived by her brother Lew Blackwell, sister-in-law Lynn Blackwell, and nephew Tyler Blackwell, all of California, and her goddaughter Anne Callaghan of New Mexico. She is also survived by many beloved cousins in Virginia, as well as her cherished caregivers.



Betsy was a very compassionate person, and protecting animals, the environment, and those less fortunate were her favorite charitable causes. She will be interred with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.