Elizabeth “Betsy” Braund Thornburgh

Elizabeth “Betsy” Braund Thornburgh, age 81, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 15, 2023 with her two daughters by her side. She was born on August 3, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late William B. Braund and Cornelia Stewart. Betsy was a devoted mother to her two daughters, Amy E. Thornburgh and Melanie J. Thornburgh; cherished grandmother of Leah N. Thornburgh; dear sister of William “Bill” H. Braund, DDS (Marilyn); step-sister of Mary Ann Fishburn and Jane Silver (Doug); In addition to her parents, Betsy was preceded in death by her brother Robert “Bob” A. Braund (Carole), her step-sister Sara Parker (Ed) and her beloved step-mother Jeannette Newhouse Braund.

Betsy graduated from Wooster High School in 1959 and then attended Stuart Circle Hospital School of Nursing in Richmond, Virginia where she obtained her nursing degree in 1963. After graduating Betsy worked as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio during the 1960’s. She returned to work in the Emergency Department at Children’s Hospital in the 1990’s after raising her two daughters. Betsy retired in 2005 after working 10 years with The State of Ohio with The Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps. During retirement Betsy volunteered with CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence co-facilitating support groups for friends and families of survivors of domestic violence which she helped create. She later volunteered with the older adult program at Syntero driving older adults to various appointments and organizing social gatherings.

Betsy enjoyed reading, watching movies, decorating, refinishing furniture, shopping, traveling, watching her beloved OSU Buckeyes during Saturdays in the Fall, spending time with her two daughters and her granddaughter, Leah whom she adored. Betsy will be greatly missed by her family and countless friends as she loved life and everyone she met.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST, 1740 Zollinger Road, Upper Arlington, Ohio 43221, where a funeral service will be held on Friday June 30, 2023 at 11 AM. Interment at Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio.

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains at Dublin Methodist Hospital who provided exceptional care and comfort to our mother and us during this difficult time. Finally a special thank you to Chrissy Sewell and Neice Augustine who delivered wonderful care to our mother during her last few years.

Memorial gifts can be made in her honor to her two main passions, LSS CHOICES for Victims of Domestic Violence (www.lssnetworkofhope.org) and National Autism Association (www.nationalautismassociation.org).