(DailyVantage.com) – Elizabeth Stuart North, affectionately known as “Betsy,” passed away peacefully on November 16, 2024, at the age of 80. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Betsy was also a steadfast follower of Jesus Christ whose life was marked by love, faith, and resilience.
Born in Somerset, Pennsylvania, Betsy grew up on her family farm with her two older sisters. She graduated from Somerset County High School before earning her degree from Pennsylvania State University. After college, she worked as a retail sales manager, a position she excelled in before meeting her future husband, Oliver North, on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend.
Betsy and Oliver married in 1968 at the U.S. Marine Memorial Chapel in Quantico, Virginia, just before Oliver’s deployment to Vietnam. Their marriage would span 56 years, filled with adventure, challenges, and devotion. Betsy managed the demands of military life with remarkable grace, supporting her husband’s career through numerous relocations and deployments.
As a mother to four children, Betsy was deeply committed to her family’s education, faith, and well-being. She homeschooled, tutored, and guided her children, ensuring they had access to the best opportunities. Later in life, Betsy embraced her role as grandmother to 18 grandchildren and great-grandmother to one, nurturing family bonds with the same dedication she brought to every aspect of her life.
Betsy’s life was also marked by strength during difficult times. She stood by Oliver through the public scrutiny of his role in the Iran-Contra hearings in the 1980s, offering her unwavering support. In 1990, the family settled at their beloved Narnia Farm in Clarke County, Virginia, where Betsy created a home surrounded by nature, animals, and the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
In her later years, Betsy faced a challenging battle with Corticobasal Syndrome, a rare degenerative disease. Throughout her illness, she remained a pillar of faith and courage, supported by her family and hospice care.
Betsy passed away just three days after celebrating her 56th wedding anniversary. An Anglican funeral service will be held on December 21, 2024, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville, Virginia. Her interment at Arlington National Cemetery will follow at a later date.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, Freedom Alliance, or Church of Our Saviour, Oatlands.
Elizabeth Stuart North leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and devotion that will be cherished by all who knew her.
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