Elizabeth “Bets” Carter Whitman was born January 26, 1929 in St. Louis, Missouri, the only child of Dr. Rexford G Carter and Dorothy Wilkenson Carter. She passed away March 15, 2020 with her son Carter by her side. She was the widow of the late David A. Whitman, and was survived by her only child.
Bets was raised in Austin, Texas. A bold and adventuresome young lady, she left Texas with luggage in hand to attend Wellesley College. She quickly realized that the women’s college was not for her and transferred to Tufts University from which she graduated. She met the love of her life at college, they married in 1950, settled in Melrose until 1958 when they moved to Marshfield, Massachusetts where she founded a successful catering business. The family fell in love with a classic Tudor home in Weston and with hundreds of hours of sweat equity, restored the residence to its original glory. Their home became the heart of lively gatherings for family and friends, with Bets as the unparalleled hostess. Bets and Dave moved to Lincoln Ridge in 1995. Never one to be idle, Bets was an active participant on the board.
Bets was steadfast in her commitment to women’s issues and public service. She was an active leader in the regional Junior League, and President of the national Junior League of America from 1966-1968. Subsequently she became President of the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union in Boston, an organization dedicated to the advancement of women and children. She was an enthusiastic member of The Chilton Club and was the club’s President from 2004-2006. Additionally, she delighted in her role as docent at the Franklin Park Zoo, sharing her appreciation of our natural world with others.
Bets was an avid needle pointer, bridge player, home and furniture restorer, hostess extraordinaire. She delighted in her an annual bareboat sailing adventures with dear friends. As the family matriarch, she was engaging, interesting, exacting and maintained a standard of decorum for all to aspire to. In her final years, she was lovingly supported by her son Carter. She is dearly missed by all.
Family and friends will gather to honor both Bets and her son, Carter for their combined memorial services on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 11:00 am in St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 320 Boston Post Road, Weston, MA.
Donations in her memory may be made to:
The Pauline Revere Thayer Memorial Pension Fund
152 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02116
www.chiltonclub.org
Arrangements are under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742 978-369-3388 www.concordfuneral.com