| Memorial Gifts
A Portrait of Philanthropy—Janice Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross
Janice Elizabeth “Betsy” Ross (pictured at right) loved anything to do with swimming pools and aquatics. As a child, she swam competitively and for fun, amassing a box of medals to show for her passionate commitment to the sport. And when she wasn’t swimming, she was life guarding to make the sport safe for others. So it was no surprise that, after moving west from Pennsylvania, she would be drawn to the Marshall Community Center pool, where – with her characteristic selfless dedication – she served as manager for 12 years.
Betsy was tireless in her efforts to make aquatics programs safe and accessible for as many as possible. Kids and seniors were her special love.
It was Betsy who initiated the pool’s first arthritis program, raising money for a portable ramp to make the journey in and out of the water less painful to those with aching joints. It delighted her when she heard from seniors that they no longer needed their walkers because of the benefits of this program. And with her passion for the positive impact such activities could have, Betsy found innumerable ways to nurture the community she cherished.
Her aspirations for the future of the aquatics program were, however, tragically cut short when, while working at the pool one November afternoon in 1995, she suffered a fatal brain aneurysm. She was only 39.
Keith Ross, Betsy’s husband of 18 years, determined even in the midst of his devastating loss that he wanted to honor his beloved wife by continuing the work she championed. He created The Betsy Ross Aquatic Trust that same year, believing wholeheartedly that “Betsy’s vision didn’t stop because she was no longer with us.” And he continues to dedicate himself to the Trust’s growth and stewardship as a way to honor Betsy and build her legacy.
“Betsy had so much to offer, so much to give,” recalls Keith. “She was devoted to her work, which was more passion than work for her. It was very important to me that her name be given to something significant so that her efforts would be remembered.”
Colleague and friend, Toni Wise, was similarly inspired by Betsy’s dedication to her work: “Betsy’s commitment was infectious. It helped everyone understand how aquatics could benefit a community, and her influence on the welfare of this community was really strong. She would have wanted that to continue.”
To establish the Trust, Keith contributed $10,000 of his own money, and then approached the Community Foundation to create an endowed fund that could grow from his continued fund raising efforts. He initiated a golf tournament in Betsy’s name and has also purchased a life insurance policy, now owned by the Community Foundation, that will eventually benefit the Trust – as will a portion of his estate.
Over the years, the Trust has made significant contributions to the Marshall pool – chief among them a $30,000 gift to build a new slide as part of the facility’s major renovation and much-needed defibrillators to enhance pool safety.
The Trust has also funded access to swimming for hundreds of low-income kids.
The community, in its turn, has shown its appreciation of all that Betsy contributed to the world of aquatics by dedicating the new permanent ramp at the pool to her memory.
“If I had millions, I’d give millions to Betsy’s trust,” reflects Keith. “But I haven’t made a fortune – I’ve made a living. This grass roots effort, the work of a blue collar man from a blue collar family, is the way I can give back to the community that has given so much to Betsy and to me.”
He adds: “The Trust will go on long into the future. And the tools are now in place for others to add their efforts to mine, to help realize Betsy’s dream of building strong, accessible aquatics programs to keep our community healthy and vibrant.”
[Use Photo $50]
Memorial Gifts
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