Elizabeth "Betsy" D. Sanders

Elizabeth Dickson Sanders – “Betsy” (nee Parker) – June 29, 2017, age 87. Betsy died peacefully at home with loving support from Hospice, caring aides and family. She is survived by her three children, Elizabeth (Ross) Rapoport, Molly (Warren) Clauss, and Stephen (Wendy) Sanders. She was the devoted daughter of the late Elizabeth Dickson and Gordon Nye Parker, of Brookline, VT. Betsy, along with her siblings, the late David (Carol) Parker and Rachel Paul, was born and raised in East Aurora, spending summers in Vermont. Betsy graduated from Buffalo Seminary in 1948. In 1945 she joined Westminster Presbyterian Church and was credited with bringing her family members from East Aurora with her. It was at WPC, some time later, that she met her future husband, the late Theodore “Ted” R. Sanders, a longtime WPC member.

Betsy attended Briarcliff College and married Ted in 1950. For a short time before starting their family, Betsy worked at the Cling Surface Company, started by her paternal grandfather before the Depression. Ted and Betsy raised three children beginning in 1955 with Elizabeth “Liz” Dickson (Ross) Rapoport; Molly Bradford (Warren) Clauss in 1959; and Stephen Kittinger (Wendy) 1963. They have each married and Betsy enjoyed the company of her seven grandchildren, Elizabeth and Carolyn Rapoport; Hans “Fritz”, Theodore and Grace Clauss; and Jacqueline and Parker Sanders.

Betsy was a dedicated homemaker and wife, and enjoyed raising her family in Buffalo, with summers in Canada on Point Abino, and family vacations in Florida and Vermont. She and late husband Ted enjoyed many long winter stays in Sanibel, Florida shelling the day away. She loved the shorebirds of Florida, and often recounted stories of these birds to her family. In Canada, the hummingbird feeder was a perpetual fixture outside the front porch, and Betsy spent time in her chair, making lists, writing notes, and watching for the elusive birds.

In addition to being an avid cookbook collector and gourmet cook, Betsy spent many years dedicated to the volunteer causes she adored. Prominent in her volunteer background include twelve years on the Board of Graduates Association of Buffalo Seminary, the Aid Board of Children’s Hospital for ten years and volunteered in many roles at Elmwood Franklin School, where her children attended. She was actively involved with both the Garrett Club and the Buffalo Canoe Club, where she served on multiple committees. Notably, Betsy and Ted’s involvement with the Buffalo Canoe Club sparked Betsy’s initiative to form the Ladies’ Auxiliary of District 3 for the International Order of the Blue Gavel after Ted was commodore of the BCC in 1988. She served as its President for seven years, in addition to serving as a Regional Director for the IOGBA for 12 years and Corresponding Secretary for one year.

Betsy lived a long and full life, left her mark on many people, and will be missed by those she loved. She was a true lady until the end.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday July 8, 2017 at Westminster

Presbyterian Church, 724 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, at 11:00 am. If desired, memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 724 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, or Buffalo Seminary, 205 Bidwell Pkwy, Buffalo, NY. Please share condolences at www.merrillgrinnell.com