Betty Blackmore

Imagine the surprise when the bouncing baby boy expected by eager parents became a pair of precious girls. On November, 19, 1924, Betty and Virginia; twins, were born to Marguerite and Louis Wheeler in Fargo, ND. The family lived in North Dakota and Minnesota until circumstances uprooted them and they made their home in Wauwatosa Wisconsin. The twins attended elementary school there, and after another relocation, attended St Genevieve of the Pines School in Asheville, North Carolina. Upon returning again to Wisconsin, they graduated from Wauwatosa High School and then traveled west to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder. During their collegiate years, they were both members of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, and in her junior year, Betty was named "Miss Thoughtfulness" by the school. She graduated from CU, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and subsequently enrolled at Milwaukee Downer to earn her Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy. Betty interned at Duke University Hospital and devoted herself to teaching and working with battle-weary Veterans of World War II. In 1952, she married Samuel Blackmore Jr, followed by the birth of three wonderful children, Bill of Pewaukee, WS (Sue; Laura, Brian and Kevin,) Beth of San Diego, CA, and Susan of Phoenixville, PA. Betty was an accomplished hostess and enhanced her husband's growing career with entertaining in their beautiful homes in Philadelphia and throughout the Midwest. Through her life, she maintained her therapy credentials and volunteered her services at hospitals, schools, churches, libraries, universities and retirement facilities. The twins maintained an affectionate and caring relationship throughout the years, they remained "best friends." Betty passed away on March 2, 2014, and a Memorial Services was held at the Avalon Retirement Center in Waukesau, Wisconsin. At her wish, she will be interred at Green Mountain Cemetery in Boulder, adjacent to her beloved parents. A Graveside Service, conducted by the Rev. Mary Kate Rejouis of St. Aidan's Episcopal Church will be held on Saturday June 28 at 10:30 am. She was born on November 19, 1924 in Fargo, North Dakota, along with her twin sister Virginia. Shortly after their birth, the family relocated to Asheville, North Carolina. The family eventually returned to the Milwaukee area where Betty attended school and graduated from Wauwatosa High School. During World War II, she attended The University of Colorado where she received her degree in psychology. While at Colorado, she became an active member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority that she continued to actively support throughout her adult life in the multiple cities that she lived in. She received her master's degree in occupational therapy from Milwaukee-Downer. Betty was an active volunteer throughout her life. She was very active in AAUW as well as a wide variety of alumni associations. She volunteered in hospitals, schools, church, libraries as well as universities while raising her children first in the Philadelphia area and then in the Milwaukee area. She was an excellent cook and her entertainment and social skills were critical to her former husband's business success. She traveled internationally with him and had friends around the globe. Her generosity knew no limits and her home was always open to others. She is survived by her twin sister Virginia Patterson of Boulder, CO.; daughters Mary Beth Dailey of San Diego, CA; Sue Blackmore of Philadelphia, PA; her son and daughter-in-law Bill and Sue Blackmore of Pewaukee, WI. She was blessed with a close relationship with her three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A memorial service will be held at Avalon Square Assisted Living in Waukesha, WI on Saturday, May 17 at 11:30AM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Presbyterian Homes and Service (www.preshomes.org) Presbyterian Homes Foundation, 2845 Hamline Ave. N, Roseville, MN 55113.