Elberta Bertie L. Michael Scott

Elberta Lee Scott, a true “Denver Dame,” passed away peacefully at the Life Care Center of Evergreen on August 10, 2012, at the age of 95. “Bertie,” formerly of Upper Bear Creek and recently of Lakewood Meridian retirement community, was the consummate Air Force officer’s wife. She was loved by her children and their families, and they will greatly miss her.

As the wife of Lt. Col. Clark Scott, she raised her family while traveling and supporting her husband throughout the world. Whether Elberta found herself in civilian, military, or diplomatic surroundings, she was immensely valuable as an outstanding leader who patiently worked to facilitate harmony, communications, and cooperation within that community.

Elberta was born in Denver, Colorado, on 23 December 1916, daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Betty) Michael, owners of a North Denver drug store. Her parents were true Denverites, with her father as the pharmacist and her mother often delivering prescriptions to keep her finger on the pulse of the North Denver neighborhood.

After graduating from Denver North High School, her mother’s alma mater, Elberta attended the University of Denver where she joined the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and was accepted into Kappa Delta Pi, International Honor Society in Education. She earned a BA in French. Bertie completed her studies as a student teacher in the town of Elizabeth and was hired to teach at East High School.

Elberta met her husband Clark Scott, a B24 bomber crewman during WWII, at a community social on Lowry Air Force Base. They were married in Fort Collins, Colorado, on April 28, 1946.

She accompanied Clark to duty stations in Libya, Germany, University of Iowa, Washington D.C., Saudi Arabia, Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, and Honolulu. During these years, Elberta served as President of American Ladies of Jidda, Saudi Arabia; Treasurer of the Officers’ Wives Club, Offutt Air Force Base; and President of the Officers’ Wives Club at Lowry Air Force Base. In 1975, Clark and Bertie retired at Lowry Air Force Base, and they moved to her parents’ mountain home in Upper Bear Creek.

With a permanent home near Evergreen, Elberta established a 30 year relationship with the Denver Art Museum. Beginning as a DAM docent in 1971, she conducted museum tours for both schools and adults. At the same time, she held leadership positions in several DAM docent groups including the Education Council and the docent training program. In 1988, the DAM docents awarded her Scholar of the Year for outstanding research and scholarship in her tours. She became an emeritus docent in 2000-2001.

Elberta Scott is survived by Lt. Col (Ret.) Steven Scott (wife Okhi [deceased]); Jacqueline Scott (husband Jesse McKean); John Scott (wife Kelly Pool); five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

Graveside service, Tuesday, August 14, 2012, 2PM at Crown Hill Cemetery, 7777 West 29th Avenue, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033.