Beth Pederson Duke

Beth Duke, age 78, died peacefully on July 12, 2021, in Williamsburg, VA. She was born to Emma & Bennett Pederson on October 8, 1942, in Mankato, MN. In 1965 Beth left her Minnesota home and came to Virginia with her Navy husband, John Houge. He was lost at sea in a submarine accident in 1968. Beth found love again while modeling for an advertisement. She was the “on-camera talent” for an electric curler commercial that L.T. “Tom” Duke, a T.V. producer at Channel 13, was directing. It was love at first sight. The couple married in 1969.

Beth leaves an extraordinary legacy through her remarkable 45-year career at Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD), which she joined in 1965 as secretary to the founding administrator, Bill Selvey. She went on to become Senior Vice President of Community Relations and Development, a position she held until her retirement in 2010. In her capacity as chief fundraiser, Beth influenced almost every aspect of the hospital, not only through her ability to persuade others to support the care children needed, but also through her strong values and character. Over the course of her career, she raised more than $125 million to expand the hospital, build community health centers, and add new technology. These gifts also helped fund programs for pediatric surgery, childhood cancer and the treatment of child abuse among many others. During her career Beth mentored and inspired hundreds of her colleagues.

Ms. Duke served on the boards of the Suffolk Community Foundation, Harbor’s Edge Foundation, Fort Norfolk Retirement Community, Towne Bank, The Planning Council, and Chesapeake Bay Academy. She and Tom retired in Williamsburg where she enjoyed playing tennis several times a week, was an active member of P.E.O, as well as a member of King of Glory Lutheran Church.

Beth is survived by her husband, Tom Duke, her brother Ben Pederson (Nona), her sister, Brenda Wallestad (David), her brother-in-law Jon Lundin (sister Becky deceased), as well as ten adoring nieces and nephews—Kristin Jensen, Joel Pederson, Jay Pederson, Liv Brown, Karin Wallestad, Anne Wallestad, Kate Wallestad, Sonny Riggs, Tim Riggs, and Mike Riggs. Beth and Tom were parents to foreign exchange students from Sweden and Denmark as well as to a special friend, Debbie Ireland.

A memorial service will be held at Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Hwy, Williamsburg, VA on Thursday, September 2 at 11:00 am. Immediately following the service, a reception will be hosted by the family and CHKD in the chapel narthex. The service will also be live streamed at wcchapel.org/duke.

Hundreds of thousands of children have benefitted from Beth Duke’s focus on their health and well-being. Her mantra was “It’s ALL About The Children”. In keeping her legacy alive, donations can be made in Beth’s memory to the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, P.O. Box 2156, Norfolk VA 23501-2156, or CHKD.org/donations.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com for the Duke family.