Tragic Loss: Elizabeth Stuart North, Cherished Wife and Mother, Passes Away at 80

Our beloved matriarch was lovingly referred to as “Mom.” She possessed qualities of brightness, beauty, generosity, and courage. This remarkable individual, who was a daughter, sister, wife, devoted mother to four, grandmother to eighteen, great-grandmother to one, and a devout follower of Jesus Christ, has now transcended to be with our Lord and Savior. She exemplified the characteristics of a “wife of noble character,” as described by Solomon in Proverbs 31:10-31.

Fondly known as “Betsy” among her relatives and friends, she was born in Somerset, PA, to James Roy Stuart and Frances Lesesne Dornin. Her formative years were spent on the cherished family farm alongside her two elder sisters, Sally Hunt Stuart and Tait Stuart (Livingood), all of whom had passed away before her.

After graduating from Somerset County High School in 1963, Betsy pursued higher education, first at Longwood College in Virginia, and later graduating from Pennsylvania State University in 1967. She commenced her professional journey at the Hecht Company in Maryland, where her capabilities were swiftly recognized, leading to her promotion as a retail sales manager.

One of her salesclerks, Kathy Finneran, arranged a blind date for Betsy with her cousin, Midshipman Oliver L. North who was completing his final year at the US Naval Academy. He won her hand and Betsy helped pin Second Lieutenant’s bars on the shoulders of her newly commissioned Marine Officer on June 6th, 1968. They were married on November 13, 1968, at the U.S. Marine Memorial Chapel in Quantico, Virginia.

It was not to be. By year-end 2022, Betsy’s condition had deteriorated to the point where Dr. Alexis McCabe, the Winchester, VA Emergency Center’s chief medical officer and a combat decorated U.S. Marine Reserve Lt. Col, F-18 pilot, told Dad we should contact hospice.

Dad objected, “We don’t need hospice! We’re caring for her very well at home!” Dr. McCabe’s calm response: “Betsy may not need it quite yet, but you need hospice now!” He finally relented and she made the call.

Blue Ridge Hospice arrived at Narnia Farm on 9 January 2023. They were a Godsend. For nearly two years, Dr. Brendan Flynn, DO, and his phenomenal team, especially, Laura J., Lucy, Laura F., Lauren, Maria, and Leigh, et al, provided essential medical equipment, oxygen, hundreds of prescriptions, and guided us on every possible aspect of care for a dying loved one. Debra, Shannon, Tammy, Jennifer, and Princess, our five privately retained, gentle, loving, experienced, and certified caregivers were simply indispensable.

Betsy left us on November 16th, 2024, just three days after Mom and Dad’s 56th Anniversary. She is now in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior, and we celebrate her extraordinary life. Yet, we will all miss doing with her that which she loved to do with us and so many of you.

There will be an Anglican funeral service at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, Va at 11:00 am on December 21, 2024, officiated by her pastor, The Rev. Jonathan Kell, rector of Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands. Our family will welcome friends and family at the parish hall following the service. Betsy’s interment at Arlington National Cemetery will be held at a future date.

Arrangements: Hall Funeral Home www.hallfh.com 540-338-5561.

In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in Betsy’s name to any or all of the following:

Blue Ridge Hospice (www.brhospice.org/donate/)

Freedom Alliance (www.freedomalliance.org);

Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands (www.contact@oursaviouroatlands.org)

Editor’s note: This obituary of Elizabeth Stuart North was reposted from Hall Funeral Home with permission from the North family.