Elizabeth Tracy King

Elizabeth Tracy King, 89, passed away on August 26, 2009, in her home in Madison, WI. Betty's long life was filled with family, learning, and service. She was a lifelong student, earning degrees in philosophy and social work and studying art throughout her life. She contributed to her community near and far, from serving as P.T.A. president of Staples High School in Westport, CT, and on the board of directors of Connecticut Planned Parenthood, to working with the Quakers to help war resisters during the Vietnam War. She also had an active professional career, doing war work during World War II, helping to support her family as a fashion illustrator and with her own business remodeling old Connecticut houses, and working as a family therapist.Born Elizabeth Jane Tracy on April 21, 1920, in Glen Rock, New Jersey, Betty was the oldest of three sisters. She spent her early childhood in Boston, and then moved with her family to Wisconsin, eventually settling in Madison.She attended the University of Wisconsin as a member of the class of 1942. At the UW, she studied fine arts, was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and was the UW-Madison prom queen in 1940.While in university, Betty met John F. (Johnny) Howell, whom she married in 1941 in Mount Pleasant, Maryland. During World War II, Johnny served overseas in the Pacific as an officer with Marine Air Group 22, and Betty lived and worked in New York City. After Johnny returned from the War, the couple lived in several east coast cities before settling in Westport, Connecticut. They had three children, Christopher (born in 1946), Lance (1950), and Emily (1956). Johnny died in 1959.In 1963, Betty married Gene King and also became a mother to his three children: Elizabeth, Jonathan, and Deborah. In 1974, Betty and Gene moved from Westport to Washington, D.C., where Betty studied for and began a career as a family therapist.After her retirement, Betty moved to Middleton, Wisconsin, to live near her sister Eleanor and her family, and then to San Diego, California, to be near her daughter Emily's family. In San Diego, Betty played tennis daily and studied watercolor painting.Betty's last move was back to Madison, Wisconsin, where she lived since 1996.Betty will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery alongside her father, Col. C. Curtis Tracy; mother, Elizabeth Baer Tracy; sister, Barbara Shaheen; brother-in-law, John M. Shaheen; and first husband, Major John F. Howell.Betty is survived by her sister Eleanor Kuenning of Madison, WI; five children, Christopher Howell of Charlestown, RI, Lance Howell of Maple Falls, WA, Emily Howell of Madison, WI, Jonathan King of Brattleboro, VT, and Deborah King of Amherst, MA; ten grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.A memorial service will be held at 4pm on Monday, August 31, at HospiceCare , 5395 East Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HospiceCare Inc. at the same address, or www.hospicecareinc.com.Gunderson West Funeral & Cremation Centers7435 University Ave608-831-6761www.gundersonfh.com Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HospiceCare Inc. at the same address, or www.hospicecareinc.com. Cemetery: Betty will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery alongside her father, Col. C. Curtis Tracy; mother, Elizabeth Baer Tracy; sister, Barbara Shaheen; brother-in-law, John M. Shaheen; and first husband, Major John F. Howell. Service: A memorial service will be held at 4pm on Monday, August 31, at HospiceCare , 5395 East Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711