Betsy Cather (Ray) Burbank

Betsy Burbank died at the home of her son, Dr. Kelton Burbank on August 7, 2015. Betsy was born in Grand Island, Nebraska, the daughter of the late George Cather Ray and Elizabeth Armstrong Ray. She graduated from Simmons College in 1958 where she had been the president of her sophomore and senior classes. She married Kelton Burbank in 1958 and they moved to the Berkshires in 1963.
Betsy lived for many years in Richmond, MA, and was actively involved in Berkshire community affairs. She served as trustee of both the Berkshire Museum and the Stockbridge Playhouse; co-chairman of the Tanglewood Council of Friends; member of the board of directors of the Berkshire Art Association, the Berkshire Garden Club and the Junior League.
In 1984, Betsy purchased the College Bookstore in Williamstown, MA and installed one of the earliest bookstore cafes. In 1985 she founded Library Antiques Inc., which featured antiques and decorative objects. After selling her businesses, she moved to New York to become the General Merchandise Manager at the Guggenheim Museum. Following her retirement, she moved to Stonington, CT where she was a member of the Stonington Garden Club and the Wadawanuck Yacht Club for many years.
In addition to her son, Kelton she leaves her daughter-in-law Dr. Elizabeth Burbank; her twin grand-daughters Phoebe and Kiki of Princeton; her daughter Brooke Burbank of Seattle, WA; her son Josh and his wife, Miriam Preus and grand-daughter Samara, also of Seattle.
Betsy’s family will receive guests on Monday, August 10, from 4-6 pm at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. In lieu of flowers, Betsy has requested donations be made to the “Friends of the Princeton Library”, 2 Town Hall Drive, Princeton, MA 01541. To share a memory or leave an online condolence for the family, please "Sign the Guestbook" on this page.