Elizabeth Messerschmidt

Messerschmidt, Elizabeth C. "Betty"

Madison - Elizabeth "Betty" Cory Messerschmidt, 85, died at home surrounded by her daughters on April 9, 2014. Born in Boston, to the Rev. Charles W. Cory Jr. and Olive Taylor Cory of Lynn, Mass. She attended elementary school in Portsmouth, RI and graduated from high school in Kingfield, Maine. She earned a BA degree from North Central College, Naperville, IL, Master of Religious Education from Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Master of Science in Elementary Education at UW-Madison. Further graduate work was done at UW, Trinity Theological Seminary, and Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Betty married the Rev. Lowell Messerschmidt on May 9, 1951, in West New Portland, Maine. Their six daughters are: Carol & Mark Parks, South Lyon, MI; Susan Bell, Newport, TN; Ruth & Matt Carpenter, Madison, WI; Linda & Lonnie Bird, Dandridge, TN; Nancy & Jim Hitt, Spring Hill, FL; Julie & Wayn Reams, Versailles, KY. Betty also had 18 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her only sibling, Paul Cory.

Betty was a loving and devoted wife and mother. She also worked as Christian education director, curriculum writer, director/teacher of church nursery school, piano teacher, and volunteered in church. In retirement, Betty and Lowell fulfilled their interest in other cultures and missions by escorting many travel groups overseas. After Lowell died in 1998, Betty was a missionary in Ecuador for three months.

Betty was an active member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Madison for more than 40 years and belonged to the Society of Mayflower Descendents.

Memorial service will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church, 6101 University Avenue, Madison, WI, on April 21, 2014, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery, Madison. Memorials may be designated to Biblica or Samaritan's Purse.