Obituary of Elizabeth Hartman Booth

Elizabeth "Betty" Hartman Booth died June 3, 2019. She was born in Chestertown, Maryland on November 24, 1918, less than two weeks after the World War I armistice. Known as Elizabeth to her family and Betty to her friends, Elizabeth’s formative years were spent in Chestertown on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where she was the oldest of five children. Following her graduation from Chestertown High School in 1935 at the age of 16, Elizabeth enrolled at Washington College in her hometown. Her major subjects were English, History and German, and her minor subjects were Biology and French. While in college, she was active in several organizations, including her beloved sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Washington College in 1939.

Following her graduation from college, Elizabeth enrolled in Drexel in Philadelphia to pursue a degree in library science. In the spring of 1940, Elizabeth graduated from Drexel with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Library Science. Upon graduation from Drexel, Elizabeth moved to Washington, D.C. where she was offered a job at George Washington University as a librarian. She continued her career as a librarian at the Federal Works Administration and the Federal Public Housing Authority. Only a year after Elizabeth moved to Washington, D.C., the United States joined World War II. Elizabeth joined the war effort, as many of her peers did. She was a member of the United States Civil Defense and Red Cross. While living in DC, she met her future husband, Richard F. Booth, Jr., who was stationed at a Navy base in D.C.

Richard and Elizabeth wed on April 14, 1945 at the First Methodist Church in Chestertown. Several years after the war’s end, Richard and Elizabeth settled down in Akron, Ohio (his hometown) in the late 1940s. Richard and Elizabeth had two children; Philip Lynn and Nancy Louise. Once the children were in high school, Elizabeth returned to work as a librarian at the Akron-Summit County Public Library in the Business, Labor and Government Division. She retired from the library in 1978.

Following their retirements, she and Richard traveled around the country. They both were active in their church, St. Paul’s Episcopal. Richard passed away in 1982. Elizabeth passed the years by being involved with many organizations: Silver Lake Garden Club (President), Flower Craft, Hastings Social Club, AARP, Martha Mary Guild, Grandmother’s Club, Mobile Meals, and her many bridge flights.

Several months ago, at Elizabeth’s 100th birthday party, she was asked, “after living 100 years, what were some of the most memorable moments of your life?” She said a moment that stuck out in her mind was meeting President Roosevelt at the White House, and having tea with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in the Rose Garden.  

She is preceded in death by her parents; Esther and George Baldwin, brothers; George Jr., William, Allen, and Hugh Baldwin, her husband, Richard F. Booth Jr., and son, Philip Booth.

She is survived by daughter Nancy (Robert) Lucas, daughter-in-law Crystal Booth, sisters-in-law Claudia Baldwin and Jean Baldwin, grandchildren, Aimee (Jack) Bonar, Samantha (Christopher) Kelly, Courtney (Chuck) Powell, Andrew Lucas, and Claire (Zach) Meluch, great-grandchildren Katie (Alex) Ward, Emma Bonar, Ian and Isabella Kelly, and Ava Mata, and many nieces and nephews.  

We loved her dearly and she will be greatly missed. A special thank you to Helen, Rita, and Jason and the entire staff at Sunrise Senior Living. We truly appreciate the wonderful care you gave her.

A memorial service will be held Monday, June 17th at 11 AM in the Firestone Memorial Chapel at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, at the corner of Kenilworth Drive and West Market Street, Akron 44313, with visitation an hour prior to service time. Burial will take place at Rose Hill Burial Park immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, Elizabeth asked that you make a donation to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children (ATTN: Office of Development 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607).