November 24th, 1957 ~ June 23rd, 2017
Mary Elizabeth "Betsy" Viersen Brown, 59 years old daughter of Thomas W. and Patsy V. Brown, gently passed away on June 23rd, 2017 in Tulsa Oklahoma. At the moment of her passing, Betsy was surrounded by her family and two of her dog rescues, Boomer and Annie.
Betsy was born on November 24th, 1957 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In 1965, the Brown Family moved to Bartlesville where Betsy matriculated through Central Junior High and College High School. She participated in nearly all sports earning positions on the basketball, softball and tennis varsity teams. She was well respected by her team mates and her class mates. Betsy graduated from College High School in 1976.
Betsy attended Colorado Women's College in Denver, Colorado where she studied sports management and continued to expand her repertoire of athletics securing a position on the women's field hockey, tennis and basketball teams. She recreationally enjoyed downhill and cross country skiing, horseback riding and loved camping and hiking in her beloved Colorado Rocky Mountains. Continuing in the family business, Betsy worked as a land and lease management director at Viersen Brown Energy.
Animal advocacy has always been a passion for Betsy and after years on the central coast of California she returned to Bartlesville where she founded the Okie New Hope Animal Rescue Foundation, a 501c (3) non profit for the rescue, fostering and adoption of animals, especially dog and cats.
Betsy was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents; Ralph Sr. and Daisy Viersen of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, by her paternal grandparents; Thomas and Florence Brown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and by her uncle, Ralph Viersen, Jr. of Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
Betsy is survived by her parents; Thomas W. and Patsy V Brown of Tulsa, her brother; Patrick V Brown and his life partner Lee M. Linderman of New York City, cousins; Ralph Viersen III and Ethan Viersen of Henryetta, OK, Angela and Scott Butler and their children Julian and Presley Butler of Pella, IA and Ralph "Dub" and Bridget Viersen of Eureka Springs, AR. Betsy is also survived by many close and dedicated friends and chosen family including dozens of animals she has rescued over the many years of her dedicated animal advocacy.
Betsy's care and comfort were facilitated through the loving efforts by Sue Kempf, her close and dedicated friend and health care advocate. Dr. Jana Wilkins diligently assisted with Betsy's home care along with Dr. Richard Marple and Dr. David M. Gershenson of MD Anderson. Special thanks to Candy Campbell as well as the many caregivers who assisted Betsy at her home.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10 o'clock in the morning, Saturday, August 12th, 2017 at Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, 210 East 9th Street, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.
In lieu of flowers donations are encouraged to Okie New Hope Animal Rescue Foundation, a registered 501c (3) non profit: PO Box 2444, Bartlesville, OK 74005-2444. Alternately, Betsy would be happy knowing people are rescuing, fostering, adopting and volunteering at animal rescue facilities in their own communities.
Published in Examiner-Enterprise from July 2 to Aug. 1, 2017