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In memory of
Elizabeth "Betsy" Zabriskie Shenk-van Sand
March 28, 1920 - October 12, 2020
Mar 28, 1920 - Oct 12, 2020
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In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to The Melodia Performing Arts Scholarship, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley, PA 15143.
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Betsy's obituary
Elizabeth (Betsy), born March 28, 1920 in New York City, the daughter of George and Dorothea Zabriskie, died peacefully on October 12, 2020 at her home in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Her children Alexandra Elizabeth Grinker, Susan Amanda Hoey, and Henry Zabriskie Shenk were at her side. She was predeceased by the death of her son Peter Michael Shenk and his wife Mary Kevin Kelly, and her two husbands, George Charles Shenk, to whom she was married in 1942 for 61 years until his death, and in 2006 married Delar van Sand to whom she was married until his death in 2017. Elizabeth was an exquisite woman, bright and beautiful for 100 years. “Last in the alphabet, first in the A's” she graduated from Chatham Hall, Chatham, VA in 1937. She then went on to Smith College, Northampton, MA from which she graduated in 1941, with the highest honors, Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
Her life was one of achievement. Her century included serving as President of the Edgeworth Elementary School PTA, the Sewickley Music Club, and Sewickley Women's Club. She was Director of Christian Education at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Sewickley, PA and a Vestry Member of St. John Episcopal Church in Gloucester, MA. Her many pleasures included being a member of WITS in Sewickley as well as the Eight Thirty Group at the Edgeworth Club where she later became the club's Manager.
Elizabeth is survived by and will forever be remembered by her three children: Alexandra, Susan and Henry; her grandchildren, Geoffery Shenk, Ehren Shenk, Noah Shenk, Cort Kristensen, Ben Kristensen, Katie Smull, Ariel Wiegard; her Great Grandchildren Zoey Shenk, Noah Shenk,Jr., Ireland Shenk, Max Kristensen, Stella Kristensen, Quentin Kristensen and Bella Kristensen; her granddaughters-in-law Farrah Kristensen, Jess Kristensen, and April Shenk her sons-in-law Charlie Grinker, Patrick Hoey and Mark Evers, and grandsons-in-law, Ryan Smull and Pierce Wiegard, and her step-children, Sigrid Olsen, Lisa and Everett Harlow, and Fred van Sand.
Please make any donations in her memory to The Melodia Performing Arts Scholarship, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley, PA 15143.
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In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to The Melodia Performing Arts Scholarship, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley, PA 15143.
Memories & condolences
I had the pleasure of meeting Betsy when she & Dane visited Canada in 2008. They came to British Columbia to visit my …
I had the pleasure of meeting Betsy when she & Dane visited Canada in 2008. They came to British C…
I had the pleasure of meeting Betsy when she & Dane visited Cana…
In lieu of flowers
In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to The Melodia Performing Arts Scholarship, Sewickley Academy, Sewickley, PA 15143.
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Created with love by
Alexandra Grinker (Betsy's daughter).
