Elizabeth James
New London — Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” James was born Nov. 11, 1923, in New Haven to William E. and Eleanor W. James. She died Jan. 5, 2021, at Avalon Health Center of Stone Ridge in Mystic. She had chosen Stone Ridge for her later years and always commented that she had definitely made the right choice.
Betsy graduated from Smith College in 1943, and went on to get her Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1946. Her career spanned many years and various colleges, including Smith, Mount Holyoke, and Skidmore in the field of career placement, ending up at Connecticut College in New London. She worked there from 1976 to 1996, when she retired as Placement Director for undergraduate students. While at Conn College, Betsy made many lifelong friends with whom she remained in touch until her death. In her retirement, she spent many winters in Pompano Beach, Fla., reconnecting with friends there.
A 40-year member of St. James Episcopal Church in New London, Betsy volunteered at its Jumble Shop for many years during retirement. She also drove cancer patients for their appointments under the auspices of the American Cancer Society, and was on the Board of Connecticut Early Music and an integral part of that organization’s annual festival. Bridge was a large part of her enjoyment and she was very active in the bridge-playing community at Stone Ridge. She enjoyed genealogy, loved to travel abroad and excelled at brainteaser challenges. A jigsaw puzzle was usually in progress on her table and she was adept at crosswords and sudoku.
Betsy was predeceased by her parents; as well as her sister, Eleanor James Shove of Skaneateles, N.Y. She is survived by one niece and three nephews, being a loving aunt to Betsy Shove Craig and William, David and Frederic Shove. She was godmother to Freddie.
In accordance with her wishes, Betsy will be buried at the Washburn/Earl/James plot in Woodlawn Cemetery in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Betsy had a sly sense of humor, was a positive spirit to all who knew her, always upbeat, kind, and gentle. She is truly first in line to Heaven and is already sorely missed here on Earth.
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