Elizabeth W. Avery

Peterborough, NH Elizabeth(Betty) W. Avery, 95, of Peterborough, NH, died peacefully on May 3, 2016 at Summerhill Assisted Living with her loving family by her side. Her last few days were still lit by her gentle smile, the twinkle in her eyes and a quick glance of curiosity. She gave her remaining strength to communicating love to all who cared for her and held her dear. Betty's physical presence may be gone but she is still a source of magical goodness and positive energy in all the stories that abound. Betty was born in Highland Park, MI on March 16, 1921, the eldest child of Carl Kingsley Wirth and Cora Georgiana (Meyer) Wirth. Betty attended Michigan State College for a degree in social work. Afterwards, she enrolled in Hartford Seminary, furthering her interest in a service oriented career. Her Master's in1947 timed well with a new marriage to C. Robert Avery, a fellow student deeply interested in returning to Turkey after a three year stint teaching at Robert College in Istanbul. Adventures lay ahead for both of them. They headed off to Turkey as missionaries under the auspices of the United Church Board for World Ministries. An excerpt from a talk which Betty gave in the 1980's shared the early days of her first trip abroad. "In 1949, Bob Avery and I, Betty Avery, with a 1 year old son, boarded the Egyptian ship, Khedival Ismail, with six now life-long friends and sailed for 3 weeks to Turkey. What a trip of homesick feelings, strange food, learning Turkish, port stops in 6 countries, and a growing anticipation to meet a distinctly different culture." That beginning set the pattern for the rest of Betty's life- anticipation being the key word. Bob and Betty worked in Tarsus for 5 years, then moved to Istanbul where she became more involved in fund raising and women's issues: family planning, basic skills for outside employment and core nutritional needs for young children. Sensitive to her position as a guest in her host country she honored the cultural tradition of hospitality and loyalty and strove to convey that in her relationships and work. Betty's true life partner and husband, died unexpectedly at 61, leaving her a young widow at 58. She grieved deeply and privately, and thought carefully about the next step in her life, the changed future. In due course, Betty focused her interests on roles in the Mission that assisted new personnel with their adjustments to life in Turkey. Her personal experience would be a foundation for her message. Be bold, be sensitive, and always respect the differences between people. Betty eventually retired to Antrim, New Hampshire, in 1988 and continued her intuitive zest for helping others. Her life was intertwined with renewed family bonds, lectures at Chautauqua in NY, singing in a nearby choral group, volunteering at a local family support center and lending her enthusiasm to just about any endeavor presented to her. In 2008 her skills at adapting to changes in her life were to be utilized once again. When her son, David and his wife Renee, rejoined the Foreign Service, Betty - at 87, moved to Blue Hill Maine, to live in a cottage built by her youngest son, Richard. She lived there for 4 years, forged new friendships in the local church, found additional avenues for her boundless energy and thoroughly relished the spontaneous exuberance of a creative household with young adults. Without a doubt, Cindy, Richard's wife, played a key role in facilitating Betty's introduction into a new community and coastal lifestyles. Betty's final move at 91, to Summerhill Assisted Living in Peterborough, NH, came on the heels of challenges with memory and association. True to form, Betty simply redirected her vibrancy towards those closest by, bringing her warmth and joyful outlook to new neighbors on her floor. Before long she had made a name for herself as an intrepid walker, leaf gatherer and chief apprAC.ciatrice of nature's wondrous beauty; cloud formations and trees being at the top of the list. She opened our eyes to the present, as that had become her reality. She visited her nearby daughter, Frances, often, always eager to participate in farm life, watch any heavy equipment at work and gather apples for the sheep. She loved to touch noses with farm dogs, sheep, horses, alpacas - they understood her calm interest and stood quietly. In our memories, Betty, is more than a person, she's a harbinger of spring, of hope, of peace for the world and, as one friend wrote many years ago- "I'll always remember you tending a garden somewhere in space and time." We were all a part of her gardens. Elizabeth is survived by her five children; Robert Avery of Colorado Springs, CO; David Avery of Portsmouth, NH; Frances Greene of Peterborough, NH; Richard Avery of Blue Hill, ME and Dorothy Ener of Istanbul, Turkey. She will also be missed by her seven grandchildren, three great grandchildren and sister Margaret Frey of Travers City, MI. She is predeceased by her brother John Wirth. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions in Betty's name be made to: 'The Grapevine, PO Box 637, Antrim, NH 03440. It held a special place in her heart for all the help and support it gives to families and children in the area.

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