Loss of a Friend and Founder of BP/USA
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We are sorry to have to inform you that Betty Ewart died November 17, 2009. As you may know, she had been in failing health the last couple of years, and mid October she fell and broke her hip. After the operation to fix her hip she went to a rehab facility to work on getting her mobility back and to improve her breathing. However, in mid November she was having more trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital, where she succumbed the next afternoon.
Betty will be missed by all of us in Bereaved Parents. She was a tireless worker for bereaved parents and BP/USA. For many years Betty was the leader of our BP/USA Greenbrier Valley Chapter in West Virginia. She and Jack were among the founders who helped create BP/USA 14 years ago. She took on the task of creating a national newsletter, A Journey Together, for the new organization and served as its editor until the time of her death. She was first elected to the national Board of Directors in 1998, was elected as its Vice President in 1999 and then as its President in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003. In 2008 Betty and Jack were the co-chairs with the Southern Illinois Chapter of the Gathering in St. Louis that year. She is one our "giants!"
These things mark some of the accomplishments that Betty created and achieved for us and for bereaved parents -- they speak to her dedication to helping others. But they don't touch on what we will so remember about her -- her quick smile; her warmth and compassion; her touch; her unfailing optimism; her encouragement and support of parents and families grieving the death of a child. She leaves behind many friends across the country whom she helped in some of their worst moments. We will miss her!
