Elizabeth S. Jones

Betsy Jones of Albany, NY, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 62. She was preceded in death by her father, Robert H. Jones III. She is survived by her three sons, Kevin and Tyler Jones, and Kegan Shreffler, her brothers, Bob, John, and Tim Jones, her mother, Betty Clark, and many nieces and nephews.

Betsy grew up in Delmar, New York, and graduated with highest honors from Bethlehem Central High School, where she was on the girls’ tennis team. As a teen, Betsy sang in multiple choirs.

Betsy studied French at the University of Vermont. She then transferred to the Ohio State University where she graduated with Honors. She became a licensed massage therapist, and later she received her Master of Arts in Teaching from SUNY Empire State College. She eventually found her calling when she was certified as a teacher of English as a Second Language. She taught adult refugees and immigrants whom she befriended and considered as members of her extended family – and who considered her as part of theirs.

Betsy loved to travel and explore new places - with others or on her own, from South America to Africa and all across Europe, including the former Soviet Union. She delighted in learning about different cultures and forging lifelong friendships everywhere she went. She spent time working at various youth hostels and retreats in Europe prior to returning to Delmar to raise her family.

A devoted mom, Betsy stayed home to raise her boys and was constantly finding ways to facilitate their learning and independence. She supported their adventures no matter what their interests were: backyard tree climbing, 30-mile solo bike rides, the Boy Scouts, or Magic and Yu-Gi-Oh Cards.

Everywhere Betsy went she spread her joy and creative attitude. Sometimes, much to the chagrin of her boys, she would strike up conversations with complete strangers. Everyone who met Betsy could see her boisterous personality in the bright colors and funky jewelry she wore, as well as the brightly colored cars she drove. There truly was never a dull moment with Betsy around. She had a lightning-fast wit, was deeply compassionate, and made anyone who was with her feel like they were the most important person in the world.

Betsy loved sports, especially tennis, and was the team captain for an Albany area adult tennis team. She was creative and crafty. She loved animals. And she loved her students and friends from around the world. She also enjoyed the simple things in life, like taking walks with her dogs Hope and Ellie, sitting around a fire pit sharing stories, and playing games with friends.

She always looked for ways to brighten other people’s days, from delivering baked goods around the neighborhood, to sharing a homemade art project, to writing cards to express her appreciation for other people’s kindness.

Betsy’s departure from this world comes far too soon. She suffered from mental illness which finally proved too great a burden to carry.

A celebration of Betsy’s life will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021, from 2 pm to 4 pm at the Delmar Reformed Church, 386 Delaware Avenue, Delmar, NY 12054.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Alliance on Mental Illness Albany, NY Region chapter (https://namicapitalregionny.org) or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (https://mohawkhumane.org).