Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Hawthorne Dies at Age 88

Elizabeth C. Hawthorne, 88, of North Arlington, died April 26. She was the wife for 58 years of the late Blackwell Hawthorne, a valued employee of the Falls Church News-Press for over a decade who died on the eve of his 88th birthday in January 2010. The Hawthornes lived for decades at their home on Lee Highway in Arlington, only blocks from the Falls Church border.

Known as “Betsy,” Elizabeth Hawthorne was an All-American basketball player at the University of Pennsylvania. She was the mother of Diane Blackwell, Jr., Marion, Laura Hawthorne, Julia McDonnell and the late Nan Hawthorne, grandmother of Anna Nmosko and Jesse Yashinski, Dan and Susie Hawthorne, Grace, Jackson and Madeline McDonnell. She is also survived by her brother Samuel Crothers III of Gladwyne, Pa., and was preceded in death by her twin sister, Marion C. Kerr. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and her loyal dog Knopf.

“Betsy” often accompanied her husband in News-Press events and celebrations over the course of his 10 and a half years working at the paper as its advertising sales director. In the three years after her husband’s death, “Betsy” could often be seen dining with daughters and friends at Anthony’s Restaurant in Falls Church.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 3, at 10 a.m. at the Oakwood Cemetery, N. Roosevelt St., Falls Church, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. held by the Falls Church Anglican Church at the Columbia Baptist Church, W. Columbia St., Falls Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, P.O. Box 5, Arlington, VA 22205. Funeral arrangements are by Murphy Falls Church Funeral Home.