Eleanora "Betsy" Ross 1932-2003

SPERA, MILLER, ANDERSON

Posted By: Michael (email)
Date: 12/16/2003 at 14:38:33

Eleanora “Betsy” Ross, 71, of 508 – 5th Street, Coralville, died peacefully Monday, December 15, 2003 at her home following a long illness.

Funeral Services to celebrate Eleanora’s life will be Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 1:00PM at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Iowa City with the Rev. David Aanonson officiating. Family Graveside Services will be Monday at Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington, Iowa. Friends may call Saturday from 4-7PM at Lensing’s Oak Hill, 210 Holiday Road, Coralville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Ray of Hope,Inc., the Johnson County Humane Society or Christ The King Lutheran Church. A reception at the church will follow services.

On line condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com by clicking on obituaries/condolences.

Eleanora Charlene Miller was born January 3, 1932 in Washington, Iowa; the daughter of Roy and Erna Spera Miller. She was married to Robert Anderson from 1951-71 and married Bill Ross in 1973, who then gave her the nickname “Betsy.” Eleanora received her BGS Degree in 1979 from the University of Iowa in religion, journalism and psychology and had done graduate studies in counseling. She received her certification in grief counseling and death education in 1990.

Betsy was the Founder (1976) and Executive Director of Ray of Hope, Inc., the first support group in the country for the survivors of suicide. She was a nationally known speaker, consultant and writer in the area of suicide survivorship. Betsy was the publisher and editor for Lynn Publications, which developed seminars on loss, grief, bereavement, broken relationships, and suicide prevention. She published many books, pamphlets, and articles on suicide, including: Life After Suicide: A Ray of Hope for Those Left Behind, in 1979 with revisions in 1981 and 1997; and a booklet “After Suicide: A Unique Grief Process” in 1979, selling thousands of copies. Betsy had appeared on numerous radio and television programs including the Today Show and Donahue. She presented over 100 seminars and workshops and had received numerous honors and awards including; the first recipient of the David Braverman Award (1980), the Survivor Recognition Award (1999) and was in the Who’s Who of American Women(1986-2000).

Her memberships include; the Association for Death Education and Counseling, American Association of Suicidology, Omicron Delta Kappa, National Association for Female Executives, and Association for Christian Counselors and Therapists.

Betsy was a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church and had been involved in the Humane Society’s Foster Program for pets. She loved her cats and enjoyed dancing, traveling and horseback riding.

She will be deeply missed by her two sons; Daryl Anderson of Ainsworth and David Anderson of Columbus Junction; one daughter Rebecca Anderson of Ocala, Florida; one granddaughter Kimberly of Casselberry, Florida; two brothers Norman Miller of Davenport and Mervin Miller and his wife Mary of Rockford, Illinois.

Eleanora was preceded in death by her parents and husbands Robert and Bill.