Elizabeth May Davis

Betty was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, to Charles Edward and Florence Myrtle Ditzel on July 12, 1933. She graduated from Dickinson High School, Jersey City, N.J. and Christ Hospital School of Nursing, Jersey City, N.J. with her Registered Nurse Diploma. After retiring from a long and varied nursing career, Betty would correct anyone who said she was a nurse, pointedly stating, “I AM a nurse.”

Betty was devoted to her husband of nearly 70 years, Donald W. Davis, until his death on September 12, 2023. They met as teenagers in a Sunday School class taught by Don’s mother (Marion) at Summit Avenue Baptist Church in Jersey City, and the rest is history. Don and Betty were halves of a whole in every way.

Betty is survived by children, Jane Boyack (Michael) and Robert Davis (Pamela). Son, Andrew (Jeralyn) predeceased her in 2019. Survivors include, five grandchildren: Matthew Boyack (Jordan), Caitlin Coole (Jordan), Kalli Davis, Mason Davis (Melody), and Audrey Davis-Scholz (Meghan) and five great-grandchildren: Addyson Boyack, Brody Coole, Summer Coole, Cooper Coole, and Apollo Davis. Another great-grandchild is due very soon. She loved her son-in-law, Michael, and daughter-in-laws, Jeralyn (Jeri), Sand-e, and Pamela just as her own children.

The family lived in Clinton, New Jersey, for many years. Betty was an active member of Clinton United Methodist Church and her community. Remodeling their 1840's home in Clinton was a family endeavor and a labor of love. She worked in obstetrics at Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, N.J. for many years.

After relocating to Littleton, Colorado, in 1972, Betty became a fifty-year member of Littleton United Methodist Church where she served as a Stephen Minister and Lay Minister. Betty was active in a number of church committees/ministries: Health Ministry, Western Welcome Week, Hospitality Committee, New Member Outreach, United Methodist Women, and many more. In her later years, she often led services at an assisted living community, The Gardens at Columbine, and facilitated the church’s weekly Grief Group with a dear friend. Her nursing career continued in Colorado with corporate nursing at Martin Marietta and in Obstetrics/Gynecology, Nursing Education, and Neonatal Loss support programs for parents at Swedish Medical Center in Englewood, CO.

Betty’s life was one of service, but she also enjoyed people in general and having fun. Her sense of humor and whit were keen. She was active in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Red Hat Society, Friends of the Littleton Library and Museum, Interfaith Task Force, CHINS, and many more organizations. She was a lifelong learner who read and studied a wide variety of topics. She and Don frequently traveled to Road Scholar/Elderhostel programs as well as tours to Europe and throughout the United States with various groups. A trip to Ireland, England, and Wales was a favorite for them.

Betty opened her heart and home to many. She hosted holiday meals for family and always had room at the table for others who had nowhere to go; they became family as well. The grandchildren knew they and their friends were always welcome. Because of their proximity to the high school, the grandchildren and their friends stopped by regularly for lunch...and received a side of advice from Betty. Countless family celebrations were held in their home including post-wedding breakfasts, showers, college graduation parties, and wedding receptions. If anyone needed a place to stay, they were welcomed.

Internment at the Stanley A. and Betty B. Leftwich Memorial Columbarium, at Littleton United Methodist Church, is planned at a date to be determined.