Elizabeth "Betsy" Libby Parker
November 22, 1938 ~ January 2, 2022
Betsy Parker passed away on January 2, 2022, at age 83, after a long and valiant battle with Parkinson’s disease. She faced this challenge with tremendous strength and grace every step of the way. She always loved and gave heartily and selflessly to her family, friends and community. She will be greatly missed by her beloved family, including her husband of 57 years, W. Carey Parker, her daughter Annie, son-in-law Chuck and their sons Charlie, Henry and Leo, as well as her daughter Catherine and her sons Luc and Liam.
Betsy was born in Norwich, CT on November 22, 1938 to Margaret Sherwood Libby, a children’s book editor, and Arthur Frederick Libby, a judge. She received a BA from Smith College in 1960 and went on to teach at the secondary school and college levels. While her daughters were growing up, Betsy enjoyed serving as a substitute teacher in middle school at the Sidwell Friends School, which both girls attended from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Betsy and Carey met on a train platform in Philadelphia in 1962 when Betsy was returning to Connecticut and Carey was on his way to New York City. They sat together during the train ride and talked all the way to New York - a story they loved to share. They were married two years later on June 20, 1964 in the backyard of Betsy’s home in Norwich, CT. For 50 years, they loved living in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., where they relished the historic neighborhood, so close to the U.S. Capitol where Carey worked, and the beloved Yoshino cherry trees in their garden. In 2014, after Carey retired, they moved out to Vienna, VA to be closer to Annie’s family. They also took many trips over the years to Seattle, WA to visit with Catherine’s family. For the last three years, they resided at the Kensington Falls Church, a wonderful assisted living community in Virginia, that enabled them to live comfortably together as Betsy’s condition progressed.
Betsy (also affectionately known as "B" or "Grandma B") adored her family first and foremost. A teacher at heart, she loved to read and create and she instilled a love and appreciation for children’s books, cooking, baking, music, sewing and art in her children and grandchildren, along with their friends. She also had a great passion for downhill skiing, which she learned in college and mastered during a year in Switzerland immediately after. Betsy was an excellent skier with a graceful style and she cultivated an extended family that enjoys going on ski adventures every winter.
Betsy also treasured Squirrel Island, in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where her family has summered for generations and where her loving spirit will always reside. Rest in peace, dear, sweet wife, mother, and grandmother, "B".
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to support Parkinson's research.
Betsy was born in Norwich, CT on November 22, 1938 to Margaret Sherwood Libby, a children’s book editor, and Arthur Frederick Libby, a judge. She received a BA from Smith College in 1960 and went on to teach at the secondary school and college levels. While her daughters were growing up, Betsy enjoyed serving as a substitute teacher in middle school at the Sidwell Friends School, which both girls attended from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
Betsy and Carey met on a train platform in Philadelphia in 1962 when Betsy was returning to Connecticut and Carey was on his way to New York City. They sat together during the train ride and talked all the way to New York - a story they loved to share. They were married two years later on June 20, 1964 in the backyard of Betsy’s home in Norwich, CT. For 50 years, they loved living in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., where they relished the historic neighborhood, so close to the U.S. Capitol where Carey worked, and the beloved Yoshino cherry trees in their garden. In 2014, after Carey retired, they moved out to Vienna, VA to be closer to Annie’s family. They also took many trips over the years to Seattle, WA to visit with Catherine’s family. For the last three years, they resided at the Kensington Falls Church, a wonderful assisted living community in Virginia, that enabled them to live comfortably together as Betsy’s condition progressed.
Betsy (also affectionately known as "B" or "Grandma B") adored her family first and foremost. A teacher at heart, she loved to read and create and she instilled a love and appreciation for children’s books, cooking, baking, music, sewing and art in her children and grandchildren, along with their friends. She also had a great passion for downhill skiing, which she learned in college and mastered during a year in Switzerland immediately after. Betsy was an excellent skier with a graceful style and she cultivated an extended family that enjoys going on ski adventures every winter.
Betsy also treasured Squirrel Island, in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, where her family has summered for generations and where her loving spirit will always reside. Rest in peace, dear, sweet wife, mother, and grandmother, "B".
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to support Parkinson's research.
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Annie and Catherine, I am very sorry for your loss. I remember your mom’s kindness and affection, especially for my son Elliot when he was a toddler. Condolences and love, Laura Bennett
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Well I remember playing on the beach or in the field with Betsy and Mallory Hicks and Susan Stanwood long, long ago. My condolences and very best wishes to Carey, her faithful and always attentive husband of so many years.
My sister Anne and I are Carey’s first cousins – daughters of Alan’s brother Harry Parker from Winston-Salem, NC, and we just learned of Betsy’s passing. Please know of our sorrow in learning of her death and our prayers and concern for your extended family. Blessings and Comfort and Love from your Parker cousins: Anne Parker Phillips in Scotia, NY and Mary-Stuart Parker Alderman in Hilton Head Island, SC.
Dear Catherine, I would love to send you a proper note, but unfortunately don’t have your mailing address. I am so sad to hear about your mom. She made such an impression on me as a girl with all of her outlandish Martha Stewart talents – sugar eggs, handmade cabbage patch dolls, bacon grease chocolate chip cookies, dollhouse furniture and lighting! -She lives on in big and small ways through everyone with whom she generously shared her talents. Please know I’m thinking about you and send my love and support. Love, Leigh (Lambert)