Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Walsh

Elizabeth Ann “Betty” Walsh went to rest in the comfort of our Lord Friday, September 16, 2016, after losing her battle with cancer.

The family welcomes friends and loved ones to join them in celebrating Betty’s life at 11 a.m. Friday, September 23, 2016, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 800 High Crest Drive, Azle, 76020.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community Hospice Foundation at the James L. West Center, 1111 Summit Ave., Fort Worth, Texas, 76102.

Betty was born Elizabeth Ann Oakes to parents Patrick “Paddy” Oakes and Ann Marie Oakes of Coatbridge, Scotland, on October 10, 1936. Betty was the third of 11 children born to Ann and Paddy, the parents she loved deeply.

At the fresh age of 16 and having completed school at St. Augustine’s Catholic, she broke hearts and announced she would chase her dream of moving to America. She had dreams of a life, which from an early age, she believed Scotland could not offer her.

Just before her 17th birthday, she bravely boarded the famous Scottish-built passenger ship, Queen Elizabeth, which was set to take its final voyage under that name, to take her across the Atlantic to her new home. Shortly after making port in New York, she was met by her Aunt Nellie who would assist her in starting her new life in Philadelphia.

However, after a short while, Betty became homesick and returned to Scotland with her family and later worked in London for a short period before giving America another shot. Betty loved America and all She stands for, and later proved that by committing to years of study and sacrifice to earn her U.S. citizenship.

Betty worked to support herself in the years following her arrival to America and soon after, met Thomas Walsh at an Irish Singles-Dance: it was love at first sight (jig).

Tom was newly graduated from college and working for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad as a freight marketer. Tom and Betty, it turned out had numerous mutual friends and after many months of dating they were engaged to be married and did so on May 9, 1959.

Just over a year following their marriage the young couple welcomed their first of seven children. The young family relocated several times over the years as Tom’s positions in the railroad industry changed moving from Philadelphia to Chicago to Minneapolis, Minnesota. They eventually landed in Fort Worth in 1984, a place they would call their final home.

Betty was active in many organizations over the years. Her involvement ranged from roles as simple as member to president and chairwoman. She loved gardening and won numerous awards for her green thumb. Outside of building her family, Betty’s best work was done inside countless groups in the church. She was active in raising money and awareness of family hunger and coordinated and volunteered regularly and for years at Catholic Charity-sponsored food banks on Fort Worth’s north side. She never looked for accolade or recognition but relished in the appreciation of helping those in need, real need.

Betty was active in her church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Azle, up until the time of her illness and loved her time and friends in the Women’s Guild, Why Catholic, and other outreach ministries of the church. Betty’s real work was in her home. Raising seven children, six of which are boys, took the patience of Job and the firmness Attila The Hun.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; all but one of her siblings, Rose Robertson and husband, Jim, of Coatbridge, Scotland; by her beloved son, Daniel Walsh; and her heroic grandson, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eric Gregor.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Thomas Walsh; her children, Patrick Walsh and wife, Kathy, Ann Gregor and husband, Tom, Barry Walsh and wife, Sherri, Joe Walsh and wife, Carolyn, Neal Walsh and wife, Bridget, and Eric Walsh and wife, Kelley. Betty also leaves behind 16 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, countless friends, caring neighbors, church family and people who only knew her by name but cared for her deeply.

We love you Betty, mom, mother, Bet, Grammy, Gram. You will be missed, rest well and we will see you soon.