Mary Elizabeth Sylvester Childs

Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Childs passed away at Arleigh Burke Pavilion in McLean on August 25, 2012, at the age of 90. Born in 1922 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Betty was the youngest of six siblings for parents John and Jane. As a child, Betty enjoyed dancing. She met her lifelong sweetheart William Maurice "Bill" Childs in Springfield where they were married on December 27, 1940. Bill accepted an appointment with the American Foreign Service and they traveled to various posts around the world, including Argentina, Egypt, and India. After their two children were grown, Betty enjoyed working at the White House in the Reagan-Bush administrations for 12 years, retiring in 1992. Betty is survived by her son Bill Childs Jr. and his wife Barbara of Atlanta, GA, her daughter Janet Durant and her husband Chris of McLean, VA, as well as her grand-daughter Lauren Childs of Atlanta, GA.

Services will be scheduled at a later date. The family has asked that any donations be made in her honor to the Navy Marine Coast Guard Residence Foundation (NMCGRF) or to the Capital Caring Hospices Organization."