Elizabeth Holcomb
Elizabeth Sue “Betty” Davis Holcomb, a woman of timeless charm, energy, and purpose, lived a life rich in devotion—to her family, her friends, her community, and the many pursuits that brought her joy. Born on July 27, 1930, at Evanston Hospital in Evanston, IL, she was the youngest daughter of John M. and Abbie Miller Davis, and sister of Rowland Davis and Margaret Davis Krand (12 and 11 years her senior). Betty lived her 94 years and 364 days with grace, curiosity, and an enduring smile that never failed to light up a room.
Betty’s early years were spent in Wilmette, IL, except for two years in Bismarck, ND, while her father was superintendent for the construction of the North Dakota State Capitol. As a child, “Betty Sue” loved spending her days on Wilmette Beach. She moved with her family to Hinsdale, IL in 1944 and graduated from Hinsdale Township High School, Class of 1948.
Betty attended the University of Colorado Boulder sight unseen and earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in 1952. During her college years, she served as president of the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority—a reflection of her natural leadership and
warmth—and fell in love with the mountains and skiing. Betty continued her education at Massachusetts General Hospital where she completed a dietetic internship and became a registered dietitian. She returned to Chicago and worked at Presbyterian St. Luke’s
Hospital, and she maintained her dietetics license for many years.
Her life changed on New Year’s Eve 1955 on a blind date with Horace Hale Holcomb III (Hokie) set up by her good friend’s mother. The connection was instant—engaged just six weeks later, they were married on June 29, 1956. Their 56 year union was the foundation of a loving and happy life together. They showed their children what a beautiful marriage and partnership looked like. Betty and Hokie raised three children:
• Catie Costello (Dave) of Newbury, NH; parents of Clare, Emma, and Jack
• Abbie Deneen (Tom) of Western Springs, IL; parents of Owen, Elizabeth, and Jenny
• Tom Holcomb (Tracie) of Durango, CO; parents of Ruth, Maggie, and Betty
They lived in Oak Brook, IL until 1982 when they moved to Greenwich, CT for Hokie’s work in New York City. They had wonderful years in Connecticut and were there until Hokie’s retirement in 1995 at which time they relocated to Sunapee, NH and Desert Highlands in Scottsdale, AZ. They made many special friends in both places. Betty spent her final years at the Vi at Silverstone where she was part of a wonderful community and cared for by a supportive and loving staff. Despite her arthritis pain and macular degeneration she maintained her mobility and independence with dignity, courage, and determination.
Betty was active in each community she called home. In Hinsdale, she volunteered as a lead coordinator for Meals on Wheels. In Greenwich, she was involved with Greenfingers Garden Club, the Greenwich Garden Center, and the Round Hill Community Church. Later in Arizona, she and Hokie volunteered at Pinnacle Peak Regional Park by hiking the trail and closing it at sunset every Sunday.
She brought energy and purpose to all her pursuits. Whether playing bridge or golf, competing on the tennis court, hiking mountain and desert trails, gardening and arranging flowers, or shoveling snow and mowing the lawn (well into her eighties), Betty approached every task with the same blend of expertise and enthusiasm. She enjoyed entertaining—making guests feel welcome—and she was deeply devoted to her family. Her grandchildren loved being with her and will always remember time spent together reading, picking blueberries and wildflowers, baking, skiing, and playing tennis and many games together.
Betty was curious, always learning; social, always connecting; and classy in every sense of the word. She will be remembered for her enduring positivity, her ever-present smile, and her resourceful, organized, and purpose-driven nature. To know her was to witness a life filled with motion, meaning, and deep affection. Betty’s legacy is already vivid in the lives she shaped, the joy she sparked, and the steady grace with which she moved through the world.
To honor Betty’s memory, donations may be made to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation or the Vi at Silverstone Employee Scholarship Fund (Payable to Vi at Silverstone Scholarship Fund; Arizona Community Foundation, 2201 E Camelback Road, Suite 405B, Phoenix AZ 85016).