Elizabeth Jones Struby

Elizabeth—or Betty as most people knew her—had a marvelous flair for storytelling. Her stories kept friends and family engaged and laughing. She would open the cover of her storybook and the characters would emerge.

Betty’s own story began on January 2, 1930, in Manhattan, New York City, as the oldest of three daughters born to Elizabeth Mulvane Jones and Oswald Roberts Jones. Betty’s sister Patty died in 2006; her sister Katney lives in New York.

Betty was educated at the Chapin School in New York City, Bennett College in Millbrook, New York, Scripps College in Claremont, California, and Oklahoma City University, where she earned her Master of Social Work.

She met her soulmate Bill (William D. Struby) on a blind date which began underneath the storied clock at Grand Central Station. They were married on June 6, 1952, in New York City. They were parents to three sons, Bill, Jim, and Mark. Soon after the first two boys, twins, were born the young family moved from New York to Colorado so that Bill could complete his geology degree at Colorado School of Mines. In 1957, the family moved to Oklahoma City where Bill began working at Pure Oil Company, and later started his independent oil and gas business. After a long illness, Bill, a veteran of World War II, died on November 11, 1983.

There will be a big hole not just in storytelling, but in Oklahoma City’s “listening community” as well. Betty made a tangible difference in people’s lives by the way she listened to them. Beginning in 1976, she was an integral presence at CONTACT Telephone Helpline of Oklahoma City (now HeartLine). For nearly 30 years, Betty volunteered on the phones and trained countless others to help prevent suicide and respond to other crises by offering nonjudgmental, active listening. Betty was an important part of the organization’s leadership, serving as President of the Board during some difficult early years, and later serving on the board of the national organization. Above all, Betty gave CONTACT credit for leading her to a more deeply rich inner and outer life.

Betty will be remembered by her family, friends, and others for her gentle, loving, and generous nature toward all—not least of all her close companion dogs.

Betty is survived by her children William R. Struby and his wife Nancy; James D. Struby, his wife Shauna, and their children Scott and Calista; Mark V. Struby, his wife Lise, and their children Heather, Jessica, and Hunter; three great-grandchildren, her niece Lisa, and two nephews Tim and Kimball—and many many friends.

Memorial services will be held at Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper funeral home (6600 Broadway Extension, Oklahoma City) on Wednesday, November 30, 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Central Oklahoma Humane Society (okhumane.org) or Free to Live (freetoliveok.org).