Elizabeth 'Betty' Copelane Colby

ELIZABETH "BETTY" COPELAND COLBY

Washington

Elizabeth "Betty" Copeland Colby, age 92, of Washington, Iowa, passed away suddenly Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at home following a battle with follicular lymphoma.

A public memorial service will be held at a later date, when it is safe for family and friends to gather, at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington, with interment at Elm Grove Cemetery. Memorials have been established for PAWS & More Animal Shelter and the United Presbyterian Home. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Betty's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com.

Betty was born October 9, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Ralph Leonard and Marjorie (Kaye) Doran. She attended school in Oak Park, Illinois, and graduated from Oak Park High School. Betty was united in marriage to Richard Reader Colby on March 7, 1953, in Oak Park, Illinois.

Betty has lived in Washington, Iowa, since 1965. She served as the Activity Coordinator at the Washington Care Center for 17 years, retiring in 1990. She was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder and a Deacon. Betty was President of the local United Presbyterian Women, served as Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and was a leader of Stephen Ministry. She was Past President of the Lending Hands Board of Directors, Community Chest and Senior Citizen Council. Betty was a member of PEO Chapter J where she was a Past President. She was a member of the Iowa Association of Activity Coordinators.

Betty was a devoted mother and doting grandmother, who loved spending time with her family and friends. She was always content with a cat curled up and purring in her lap. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, particularly baby clothes and baby blankets, which she labored over with love and bestowed as gifts to friends with newborns. And she enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles. Her homemade caramels were savored by family and friends every Christmas for more than 50 years.

Betty is survived by her husband of 67 years, Richard Colby of Washington, IA; daughter, Ann Haden and husband Murray of Birmingham, AL; daughter, Gail Granneman and husband Gary of Ottumwa, IA; son, Ed Colby and wife Brink of Washington, IA; nine grandchildren, Isaac Baldrige, Angela Baldrige Thompson and Joe Baldrige; Tyler and Kelsey Granneman; Colby, Andrew and Michael Haden; and Keegan Colby; two great-grandchildren, Julius and Myles Thompson; son-in-law, Matt Baldrige and wife Jeri of Columbus Junction, IA; and one sister, Jean Wells of Washington, Iowa.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, James Arthur Doran.