Obituary of Elizabeth Anne (Betsy) Burton

Elizabeth Anne (Betsy) Burton passed away Sunday, December 17th, 2006 in San Francisco, CA. She was born July 3rd, 1968 in Pittsfield, MA and moved to Darien when she was one year old. After attending Royle and Middlesex, Betsy went to Darien High School where she was an exceptional scholar and athlete. She excelled at volleyball and tennis, winning the FCIAC tennis championship in ’84, ’85, and ’86; the Class L state tennis championship in ’84 and ’85 and the state doubles title with longtime partner and friend Christie Cobb, in ’84 and ’85. Betsy’s impressive DHS career culminated at her graduation, when she was one of four seniors chosen to give a speech on behalf of her fellow classmates. Betsy went on to Wesleyan University where she was a Resident Advisor and vice-president of the senior class. Unsurprisingly, her passion for sports continued at Wesleyan and she joined the tennis, squash and rugby teams. Between 1986 and 1990, she played #1 singles in both squash and tennis, served as tennis team co-captain and received the Jones Award – given to the top player – for both tennis and squash. Betsy’s love and talent for tennis began with her dad, Mike Burton. The duo enjoyed countless hours hitting on the courts at the Middlesex Club in Darien, CT and on a family court in the Catskill Mountains. The highlight of their parent-child career was the 1985 Equitable Family Tennis Challenge, where they played at Flushing Meadow, the site of the U.S. Open, while the professional tournament was in progress. Despite this list of accolades, Betsy was loved most for her outgoing personality, her affability and her sense of humor. Betsy had a magnetic smile, and people were instantly drawn to her. It is not an overstatement to say that Betsy made friends wherever she went. To this day, her wide group of friends reflects every stage of her life. Additionally, one of Betsy’s most special qualities was her gift for connecting with children. She made an indelible mark on many children’s lives and her career path was continually linked to children: she worked as an elementary school teacher, a child care consultant, a family counselor, a tutor and a babysitter. Betsy loved living in the Bay Area and relished its climate and beauty. She played tennis, hiked year-round, and practiced yoga and meditation. At the time of her passing, Betsy was a doctoral candidate in Clinical Psychology at The Wright Institute in Oakland, CA. She is survived by her mother, Linda S. Burton of Darien; her two sisters, Amy Burton of Saratoga Springs, NY and Carly Burton of Boston, MA; a brother-in-law, Michael Selkis; and her niece and nephew, Nayeli Burton Selkis and Tobias Jackson Selkis. She is also survived by her paternal grandmother, Patricia Burton of Chatham, NJ; six uncles, fiv+e aunts and nine cousins. She is pre-deceased by her beloved father, Mike. A memorial mass will be held Friday, December 29th, 2006, at noon, at St. Thomas More Church, 374 Middlesex Road, Darien. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to: Friends of the Infant-Parent Program, 236 West Portal Avenue, #2550, San Francisco, CA 94127 or to The Sonoma Ashram, P. O Box 950, Sonoma, CA 95476. Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820