By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
The sun isn’t shining quite so brightly in Elmhurst these days since longtime resident Florence “Betsy” Aldred has passed away in the loving presence of her cherished daughter, Sarah, and her grandsons. She leaves behind a beloved family, countless friends, and a legacy of service to the community she loved so much.
Betsy was born Nov. 17, 1940 in Sandusky, Ohio, to Richard and Helen Bliss. She attended Peoria High School where she took part in many vocal musical groups. She also played the piano beautifully, having been taught by her music teacher mother.
Betsy attended Illinois Wesleyan University before switching to Bradley University in Peoria where she met the love of her life, her husband of 52 years, Dennis Aldred. Dennis, a life-long Elmhurst resident, brought his bride to his hometown where they raised their family, taking particular pride in their four fine grandchildren, Lucas, Justin, and Elliot Fleege (whom she called her Princes) and Olivia Berry. Her daughter Sarah, a skilled nurse, deserves special mention for her devoted and loving care of her mother in the last several months of Betsy’s life. They relived the many memorable summers spent with family at the lake house on White Lake in Michigan.
Betsy earned a Bachelor and a Master’s degree in Speech Therapy and had a long and honored career in the field in Lisle and Lyons school districts. She became deeply involved in community affairs. She served as alderman, representing the First Ward on the Elmhurst City Council for 16 years.
As an alderman, Betsy helped facilitate several improvements to the community including downtown redevelopment, acquisition of Lake Michigan water, construction of two parking garages, a new police station and two new fire stations.
Seventh Ward Alderman Mark Mulliner recalled serving with Betsy and being by her side years earlier when both ran as part of the Elmhurst People’s Party.
“It was Betsy that was instrumental in getting me involved in the community as much as I have,” Mulliner told the Independent. “I was with her on the original run as part of the People’s Party ticket. I learned so much just from working with her and Jackie Haddad and I learned so much from [their husbands] Dennis and Emil as well.
“It was quite a team. She really taught me so much about what’s going on in the community. I learned about the community from a different angle. Having grown up here, it was interesting to look at the City with a different focus; that is, learning what we can do to make things better.
“I’m going to miss her. She was a great lady.”
Betsy was a past president of the Elmhurst Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and was active from the start in its Dare to Dream program for young Latina girls. She also served as a vice president of the Elmhurst League of Women Voters.
Jan Dorner and Dorothy McGuire, co-Presidents of LWV Elmhurst, had this to say about Betsy:
“Betsy was an energetic and inspiring presence at many LWV Elmhurst events and most recently served on our Board of Officers as First Vice-President.
“She loved registering perspective student voters and enjoyed helping with mock elections at York High School and wanted to have mock elections at Willowbrook, where her grandkids were students.
“She was a great supporter of educating voters by helping at LWV of Elmhurst candidate forums held regularly before elections.”
Betsy was one of the founding members of 100+ Elmhurst Women Who Care, an organization that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. She actively supported the St. Peter’s United Church of Christ congregation, creating the renowned Easter activities, among so many others.
Betsy’s sense of fun is legendary. Who can forget the photo of her dressed in trash to publicize the City’s recycling program, which she spearheaded? For a generation of young girls, she was the Tooth Fairy, complete with prom dress and used-toothbrush necklace. She loved dressing outlandishly to meet friends at the airport. She maintained a wardrobe of bright, happy kindergarten-teacher sweaters that perfectly represented her personality. She always greeted each friend as if that friend was truly the most important person in her life, with a tilt of the head, a wink and a saucy remark.
Her volunteer efforts were deservedly recognized when she was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award (DSA) from the Elmhurst Jaycees in 1995. She also merited a chapter in the book of “First Ladies of Elmhurst.”
Former City Manager Tom Borchert spoke at Betsy’s DSA Banquet, presenting her with a copy of the book Elmhurst: Trails of Yesterday.
“It’s easy to say ‘no,’ it’s easy to say ‘I’m busy,’ it’s easy to say ‘I don’t have time,’ but you don’t!” Borchert said in his remarks. “You say, ‘I will commit, I will get involved, I will make a difference for the Elmhurst community.’
“Betsy, you are an inspiration to the City of Elmhurst. Someday, they’ll do another ‘Elmhurst: Trails of Yesterday,’ and it will include a chapter on Betsy Aldred.”
Family, service, compassion, dedication, and fun are words that sum up a life well-lived. Betsy was once quoted as saying, “I have a lovely life and I am a happy woman. I guess my maiden name, Bliss, fits me!”
Visitation was held at Ahlgrim Funeral Home, 567 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst on Thursday, June 24. A Memorial Service was held Friday, June 25 at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Private interment Elm Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Memorials will be appreciated for 100+ Women Who Care and St. Peter’s United Church of Christ. Funeral information 630-834-3515 or [email protected].
