Betsy Anne Youngholm

Betsy Anne Youngholm, 74, passed away from complications of end stage COPD on February 18 at Pacific Gardens Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Fresno, California. Her sister Caryn was at her side at the end. Betsy was born August 15, 1950, in Quincy, Massachusetts, to Paul R. and Ethel Doris (Larson) Youngholm. Betsy lived most of her life in the Boston area before she moved to Coarsegold, California in 2014. For the last eleven years of her life Betsy lived on a five-acre rural property which she shared with her brother, Philip, his husband, Arlin Aasness, and a variety of dogs, cats, and poultry. They named the property Dragonfly Ranch, after Betsy’s totem animal.

Betsy’s early years were spent in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In 1968 she graduated from White Mountains Regional High School in Whitefield, New Hampshire, a member of its first graduating class. Her earliest employment was at Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston. Betsy became active in politics in the 1970’s and ‘80’s, joining the presidential campaigns of Morris Udall and John Anderson. She spent a year in Washington, D.C. in the office of the Speaker of the House, Dan Rostenkowski. Returning to New England, Betsy completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Her writing and political skills were put to work at the McCormack Institute for Public Policy at UMass Boston; one of her proudest accomplishments was a publication proposing compassionate public policy during the early years of the AIDS crisis and the Reagan presidency. Betsy’s final employment was in Massachusetts state government, as Finance Director of the Department of Mental Retardation.

Much of Betsy’s life was spent caring for family members and offering them guidance. One of her favorite tongue-in-cheek statements was: “You know, I have no opinions and I give no advice, but. . . “ She was particularly close to her maternal grandparents; as the eldest granddaughter she assumed responsibility for keeping track of her relatives, kept the family archives, and was often the first person people sought out for counsel and information. Betsy loved to travel and was an excellent trip planner. She traveled to Sweden multiple times to visit relatives. The family had hoped to take her there one more time for her 70th birthday in 2020--but COVID interrupted, as it did for so many. After COVID, and as Betsy’s disease progressed, she gradually withdrew from those roles and activities. We felt—and feel—her absence.

Betsy loved dogs; she volunteered at shelters, and she adopted many dogs who had special needs, or who were unlikely to be adopted due to age. They were loyal and loving in return. We know she is now reunited with Fred, Moka, Callix, Ella, Buddy and Carleton as well as canine nieces Jenny (Youngholm), Jenny (Davis), Amy, Bette, Ellie, Rosie, Gretchen, and Madison and canine nephews Sebastian, Bear, Kai, Chester, Bonko, Monroe, and Mickey and feline relatives, Monty and Artemus. Betsy was an activist in keeping with her principles; she donated many hours to the Eastern Madera County SPCA while it was planning the creation of its new shelter in Ahwanee, California.

Betsy’s creative outlet was quilting. She started in Boston and came into full flower at Dragonfly Ranch. She made over a two-car garage into an impressive studio that included a long-arm quilting machine. Betsy found a sisterhood among the quilters of the Sierra Madre Quilting Association. Many of her projects were gifts for friends and loved ones. She conceived and sewed quilts that spoke to the individual for whom they were meant; they are now treasured by those blessed by her thoughtfulness and generosity.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Doris Youngholm of Orleans, MA; her maternal aunt, Ruth (Larson) Cummings (Charles) of North Eastham, MA; her maternal uncle, Edward Larson of North Eastham, MA; paternal aunts Joan Mineo and Betty Curto; paternal cousins Eric Mineo and Steffan Curto; and her brother-in-law Arlin Aasness of Coarsegold, CA. She is survived by her brothers, Philip Youngholm of Missoula, MT; Mark Youngholm (Diane) of North Eastham, MA; her sisters, Janet Youngholm (Kathy Davis) of Casper, WY; Caryn Youngholm (Brendan Moles) of Missoula, MT; her maternal uncle, Frank Larson (Beverly) of West Yarmouth, MA; and several maternal and paternal cousins.

As Betsy desired, there will be no services; a family gathering will take place on Cape Cod, Massachusetts at a future date. To honor Betsy’s memory, the family asks that donations be made to your local animal shelter or a charity of your choice. The family is deeply grateful for the guidance received from A Place for Mom and the excellent care provided Betsy by Pacific Gardens and Bristol Hospice.