Elizabeth Betty Charlotte Jerothe Poulton

July 21, 1926 - November 13, 2011

Mrs. Poulton known by friends and family as "Betty", passed away on November 13, 2011, after a brief illness. She was 85 years of age and a longtime resident of Raleigh, with her husband and best friend, former Chancellor and Professor Emeritus Dr. Bruce R. Poulton.

Dr. and Mrs. Poulton were also seasonal residents of Somesville, Maine; where they spent each summer at their beloved camp on Long Pond.

Betty was born in Englewood, New Jersey to Marie and Rudolph Jerothe, who immigrated to America from the Berlin area of Germany in 1923, entering the country through Ellis Island. Along with her parents and her older brother Rudolph, "Rudy", she settled in Tenafly, New Jersey. Betty often shared tales of her childhood experiences which included the bakery and ice man making deliveries by horse and wagon, childhood trips to Germany where she recalled her Grandfather driving teams of huge draft horses for a local brewery; also saving string, rags, lard, and other household products for the American war effort during World War II. She was an avid Girl Scout, enjoyed bible study, and was an outstanding high school athlete.

Betty attended Douglas College, earning a BS in physical education, and met Bruce, who was attending Rutgers University. They were married in the Rutgers chapel in 1950. Betty then taught high school PE / health in Ridgewood, New Jersey, while Bruce earned his Ph.D. She also played semi pro soft ball, quite a feat at the time! They welcomed their first child, Randall in 1954.

Betty and Bruce moved to Orono, Maine, in 1956 upon Bruce's acceptance of an associate professorship at the University of Maine. Betty taught health education at the University of Maine. In 1955 their second child, Jeffrey, arrived, followed in 1961 by their daughter Cynthia, and in 1964 by Peter.

Betty devoted herself to homemaking and charitable / nonprofit work for the United Way, the Unitarian church, the Girl Scouts of America, and other causes. She enjoyed many sports, including competitive amateur tennis during this period of her life, and conducted weekend fitness classes for families at the university gymnasium. This program, known as "Family Fun and Fitness" was Betty's brainchild and was quite a revolutionary concept for the time.

During her time in Orono, Betty was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables, filling the cold cellar of the family home each fall.

In 1975 Betty moved to Durham, NH, as Dr. Poulton accepted the position of Chancellor at the University System of New Hampshire. In addition to carrying out her duties as chancellor's wife, she began a second career in real estate and took up Nordic skiing and horsemanship.

In 1981 Betty and Bruce relocated to Raleigh as Dr. Poulton had accepted the position of Chancellor of North Carolina State University. Betty thrived in her position as "First Lady" of NCSU and became an avid fan of collegiate athletics, an interest shared with Dr. Poulton. During this phase of her life, she spent her summers volunteering as a park ranger for Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island, Maine, a seasonal position which she maintained for over a decade.

In 1990 she accepted the position of Program Director for the fledgling Encore program at NCSU, which entailed coordination of various programs of adult studies. As part of the program, students travelled to the geographical areas covered within the study unit allowing the students to experience firsthand the culture and environment discussed in the study materials. In this position, she traveled extensively in the US and abroad, often with Dr. Poulton at her side.

Betty was a devoted grandmother in addition to her many other interests.

She is survived by her husband Bruce, also by her four children - Randall, Jeffrey, Cynthia, and Peter ; their respective spouses Deborah, Maribeth, Arthur, and Susie; her five grandchildren - Wade Jerothe Poulton, Gregory Scott Poulton, Andrew Philip Poulton, Paulina Marie Karabelas, and Elizabeth A. Karabelas; and by her sister in law Vivian, and nieces/nephews Douglas, Katherine, Russell, and Ricky. Betty was predeceased by her brother Rudy.

A memorial service in her honor will be held at the McKimmon Center on the NCSU campus at 11:00 on Saturday November 19th. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Encore Program Endowment at Campus Box 7401, Raleigh NC, 27695; or Brookside Cemetery P.O. Box 99 Mt. Desert ME 04660 are encouraged. Both organizations are 501 (c) (3) non -profits).

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynneRaleigh.com