Betty "Becky" Laurine Williamson

Betty Laurine Williamson (Becky) of Longmont, CO, died Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Alta Vita Memory Care Center in Longmont, CO. She was 91. She was born September 1, 1933, in Greeley, CO to Frank Ferguson and Dorothy Walters Ferguson.

Becky, her parents and sister, Ann Ferguson (Staley) lived in Greeley, CO and Denver, CO during World War II. As a child, she spent her summers in Glen Haven, CO with her Walters grandparents listening to baseball games, learning history and reading books. Many hours in the mountains were spent with her father fishing, hiking and birding. Becky graduated from Greeley High School in 1951. She married Keith Williamson of Greeley, CO on August 25, 1952. They moved to Fullerton, CA in 1959 and then to Longmont, CO in 1960.

Becky delivered newspapers for the Longmont Daily Times Call before being hired at the Longmont Public Library in 1968. She was the library Circulation Director until her retirement in 1999. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Longmont.

She had a lifetime passion for hiking and climbing, especially in Rocky Mountain National Park, which she called “her park”, including summiting Longs Peak at the age of 77. Her greatest joy was sharing these experiences with her children and grandchildren. In mid-life, she began running with friends and competing in races. She ran 35 Bolder Boulders and several half marathons and marathons. She traveled extensively throughout the United States and the world, beginning with a trip to Europe while her son David was stationed in Germany. She traveled to Russia, Switzerland, Peru and many other countries.

After retirement she founded the group Knit and Purl at the Longmont Senior Center encouraging people to knit for themselves and others. Over the years the group provided thousands of projects to various community organizations.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, Ann Staley, and daughter-in-law, Katherine June Williamson. Survivors include: her children, David of Longmont, CO, Kathleen Palmquist of Centennial, CO, William and his wife Emily of Douglas, WY, Margaret Varoz and her husband Phil of Center, CO, Michael and his wife Ellen of Florence, AZ and grandchildren Nathan Williamson (Grace), Amy Duda (Kevin), Jonathan Palmquist (Kate), Ruth Owens (Jon), Daniel Williamson (Beri), Erik Palmquist (Elizabeth), Matthew Varoz (Megan), Rebecca Williamson, Christopher Williamson, Heidi Williamson, Katie Davis (Dylan), Samuel Williamson, Peter Williamson (Tammara), ten great-grandchildren, her sister-in-law Janet Williamson and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Betty will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Christ Church International, 527 Main Street, Longmont, CO 80501, with William Williamson and Mark Spencer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Friends of The Longmont Library at Longmont Public Library, 409 4th Ave, Longmont, CO 80501 or OUR Center, 220 Collyer St. Longmont, CO 80501

Cremation is entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.howemortuary.com for the Williamson family.