Elizabeth“Betsy” Merrow Withington

Elizabeth “Betsy” Merrow Withington passed on April 17th, soon after reaching her 96th birthday.

She and her twin sister Susan were born in Boston, MA who along with their younger sister Sally spent many happy summers at their second home in Boothbay, ME.

Betsy graduated from Boston University and taught high school physics for one year before her marriage to HW “Bob” Withington a young MIT aeronautical engineer. Their long and adventurous life together began with a honeymoon driving cross-country to Seattle, July 1941. In the mid 1940’s Bob and Betsy moved to Mercer Island, which they called home for the rest of their lives – over 6 decades.

Whatever Betsy did she did well and with style, and with the firm belief “any job worth doing is worth doing well”. Her desire was to make a difference and she truly did, touching so many lives with fairness and honesty. Betsy had a passion for excellence, an insatiable curiosity and was always up for the next adventure whether it be traveling the world with Bob and family or exploring the backyard with a grandchild.

Betsy proudly made her life’s work to raise a healthy, happy and caring family. Her passion accompanied Bob and her four children wherever they ventured. Her family spent winters in the mountains and summers on the water with all the interests Betsy, her four active children and a talented engineer could come up with including; American Red Cross nursing (WWII), Preschool and PTA, scouting and Sunday school, tennis, cruising on a variety of boats, hiking & skiing.

For 35 years Betsy raised up the ranks as a ski-racing official, becoming the 1st woman president of Pacific Northwest Ski Association transforming the sport with her charming perseverance and “Betsy” style. Her many awards and accolades were crowned by initiation into the Northwest Ski Hall of Fame. Tirelessly working on the sidelines, Betsy achieved the ultimate recognition and was invited to participate as a respected official at the ’80 winter Olympics at Lake Placid.

Betsy is survived by her loving and close-knit children: Vincent his wife Margaret, Victoria, Martin his wife Lee and Holden Withington along with her 5 cherished grandchildren: Veronica, Wade, Shelby & Barret Withington and Parker Thompson. Her husband of 70 years HW “Bob” Withington, preceded her in death, passing in 2011.

We welcome you all to please join family and friends in a celebration of Betsy’s joy of life: June1st, 2:00pm, East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 SE 32nd Street, Bellevue, WA 98005.