Eliza F. Shepard Wodell

Eliza F. “Betsy” Shepard Wodell passed away peacefully at home in Essex, Connecticut on January 23, 2024 surrounded by her children. She was born in the summer of 1929 and raised in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. Betsy was the daughter of Harry S. And Eliza Clements Finkenstaedt. She had three brothers, James, Harry, and William Finkenstaedt.

She graduated from the Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY then moved to New York City. Growing up the Finkenstaedt family would travel to Hyannisport, Massachusetts for the summer months where she met her childhood sweetheart and first husband, the late Charles E. Shepard II. They were married in 1951 and raised their four children William, Jessie, Pam and Charlie in West Hartford, Connecticut and returning summers to Hillcrest their Hyannisport home. She loved to be the hostess, known for her wit, laughter and engaging dinners. Welcoming multi-generations of friends.

Betsy was an avid sportswoman that enjoyed and excelled at tennis, golf, skiing, fishing and hunting; winning many tournaments and championships over the years. Betsy and Charlie were a doubles force on the tennis and paddle court prevailing at the Hartford Golf Club for a decade. Winter months were spent in Vero Beach FL. Betsy also enjoyed wonderful adventures, ladies camping trips, Outward Bound and travels to Europe, Morocco and South America returning with great stories.

Throughout her life she was an avid birdwatcher, and reader. She was the President and a member of the Connecticut Garden Club, and a member of The Investal Group. She loved simple flowers and tending to the natural beauty of her garden. Her daily ritual of reading two newspapers resulted in sending clippings with hand written notes to family and friends. Her gentle way of contributing to local interests while questioning her personal curiosity, connecting with others.

In 1997 Betsy married Page Wodell and lived in Old Lyme, Connecticut before moving to Essex Meadows in 2014. Together they shared a humorous, adventurous and loving life until Page’s death in 2022. The two could be found reading together, sharing stories, golfing and watching birds from the window in Essex or Hyannisport. Betsy also leaves her 7 grandchildren; Jake Dewey, Molly (Mason) great-granddaughter Hazel Hart Walker, Jenny (Patrick) Campbell, Will, Myles, Sam and Lily Shepard and many nieces and nephews

The family would like to thank the Essex Meadows Residential Health Staff, Yale New Haven Hospice Team and all the professional medical staff for their dedicated care.

There will be a Memorial Service on May 18, 2024 at Saint Andrew’s Church in Hyannisport, Massachusetts at 1:00pm. Memorial Gifts in her name can be made to The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center: PO Box 62, Old Lyme, CT 06371