Elizabeth Adams

Born in Cedar Rapids on August 20, 1914
Departed on May 4, 2008. Resided in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Memorial

Elizabeth Ann Betty Roth Adams, 93, of Cedar Rapids died Sunday, May 4, 2008 at Hospice House of Mercy following a short illness.
After a private memorial service at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, members of her family will greet friends at a reception from 1 to 3 pm Tuesday, May 13, in Oak Hall at Cottage Grove Place.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Sharon Adams Threlkeld of Alameda, CA and Sedona, AZ; granddaughters Susan Paulukonis of Alameda, CA and Julie Threlkeld of Yonkers, NY; great grandchildren Annie and Joe Paulukonis of Alameda, CA; a niece, Patti Huey, of Cedar Rapids and a nephew, John Reid, of Deerfield, IL. Her husband, Henry James Hank Adams, and son, Henry James, Jr. Jim preceded her in death in 1961.
Her sister, Rosemary Reid, with whom she was very close, passed away in 2007.

Betty was born on August 20, 1914 to Walter Kerr Roth and Elizabeth Nicoll Roth in Cedar Rapids, where she grew up. She attended Washington High School and continued her education at Ward-Belmont College, Northwestern University, and graduated from Parsons in New York City. Betty and Hank were married May 14, 1938 at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids.

From an early age, Betty exhibited a passion and talent for the visual arts. She studied painting for many years and developed into an accomplished painter, specializing in watercolors and collages.
Subjects included colorful floral still lifes, impressionistic landscapes and occasional abstract pieces. Later in life, she branched out into other creative media, expressing herself in quilting, clay work, woodcarving and many other crafts. In addition, Betty was eager to share her artistic knowledge and skills with others, and she taught several art workshops to other residents of Cottage Grove Place, where she made her home since 1996.

Betty's interest in seeing beautiful new vistas also expressed itself in her love of travel. Betty's travels abroad took her to England, Scotland, Italy, and many areas of Southeast Asia, including Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore, Bali and Vietnam.

Family, friends and new acquaintances alike appreciated Betty for her keen sense of humor and, perhaps most importantly, her ability to laugh at life and at herself. Practical and independent, she was a self-possessed and self-sufficient woman throughout her years, even through her final days. She lived a life of dignity and grace, and will be fondly remembered for her loyalty to family and friends, intelligence, curiosity, thoughtfulness, sense of adventure, fortitude and resilience. She will be greatly missed.

The family wishes to thank the nursing staff and caregivers of Mercy Medical Center and Cottage Grove Place for the excellent care they gave Betty during her illness and especially want to thank the caregivers at Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy for the tender and compassionate care they gave Betty and her family during her last days.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Mercy or First Presbyterian Church.

Service

Family Gathering

Cemetery