Ethel Gurney Betz, 93, passes away

Ethel Gurney Betz died peacefully on September 1, 2012 at Winthrop University Hospital on Long Island. She had just returned home from an active summer with family and friends in Inlet. She was two months shy of her 94th birthday.

Born on October 31, 1918, Ethel (more commonly known as Butchie) is survived by her husband O. John Betz Jr.; their three sons, O. John Betz III and wife Anna Howes Betz; Robert G. Betz; and Alexander K. Betz and wife Rebecca Blodgett Betz; her sister, Esther Gurney Cruikshank; and 13 grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her brother, John K. Gurney.A lifelong resident of Garden City, she graduated from the Cathedral School of St. Mary’s and Sweet Briar College.

She played field hockey, lacrosse and basketball in school, excelling in all and making a number of all-state teams.

She was a good golfer and club champion at the Cherry Valley Club in Garden City.

She was also a member of the Inlet Golf Club which had a special place in her heart.

She loved the flora and fauna that surrounded her at home and on the golf course and at the family camp in the Adirondacks.

She was a reader, a writer, a poet, and a cook. She was a good partner to her husband of 67 years, a good mother to her children, a good grandmother to her grandchildren and a good friend to a lot of people.

She was a giver, not a taker. She was not political, she did not ‘put on airs’ and she loved the New York Mets. She will be missed.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation, P.O. Box 2221, Darien, CT 06820.

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