Elizabeth Bednarchik Dunbar

Elizabeth Florence (Betsy) Dunbar left us all too soon on August 26, 2022. Betsy was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 1, 1945, to Clifford and Elizabeth (Fricker) Spangenberg and was later adopted by Anthony Bednarchik when her dad Clifford died before her 6th birthday. She was a positive force that brought love, support and sensitivity to all.

After a career move to the DC area in 1969, Betsy met Henry Wright (Hank) Dunbar on a blind date. Thus began a 53-year love affair that will continue forever. A whirlwind courtship prompted a move to Norwalk, Connecticut, where they married in August 1970. They welcomed David Peter and Christopher Wright into their family. After moving to El Paso, Texas in 1979 the fun, entertainment and energy increased exponentially, with Dave on the drums, Chris on the basketball court, Hank in the classroom and Mama Bear Betsy coordinating it all, along with the dogs, cats, and birds. Betsy always said that her proudest accomplishment was being a supermom for her boys (which sometimes included Hank) and daughter-in-law Carmelita Nesbit, who married Chris in 2002.

The oldest of five sisters while growing up, Betsy was the trendsetter. She set the standard for makeup and clothing. Anne Marie (Gerald) Mistretta, Alice Bednarchik (Michael Tuts), Mary (Aaron Jay) Elstein, and Susan (Powell) Johnson- all felt Betsy's standard for style and elegance, along with her love and concern. Like most Philly girls, she was always "in step" with the latest dances on American Bandstand and initiated her "Sistas" into the world of concerts with the Beatles in 1965. Later her tastes trended toward classical, attending the El Paso Symphony and numerous musical productions.

Betsy's sense of beauty and caring developed early into an interest and degrees in interior design and computer systems and applications. While helping others to enhance their homes and gardens, Betsy offered a strong dose of non-judgmental listening and empathy.

Betsy designed the family's El Paso home and gardens with the Franklin Mountains punctuating the horizon, ensuring comfort for all who entered and compassionate shelter to family, friends and students who needed housing. She is truly missed, but we feel her loving presence in the birds and butterflies that visit us.