Elizabeth Ann Hughes

Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Hughes, beloved mother, grandmother and friend, was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on November 24, 1933 to Donald Riggs Hinderliter and Thelma Reno. Betsy passed away in Mamaroneck, NY on April 27, 2022 at the age of 88 from complications of Alzheimer’s.

Betsy spent most of her life in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As a very young child, she lived for several years in El Centro, Colombia where her father was working for Skelly Oil Company. She graduated from Tulsa’s Central High School and went to the University of Wisconsin to study music and classical piano. She returned to the University of Tulsa and to marry, Richard H. Hughes, her partner in life. Hughes' parents had been longtime family friends. Betsy spent the early part of her marriage supporting Richard who was a pilot in the Air Force. Once Richard finished his Air Force service, they moved to Boston where Richard studied for his MBA at Harvard and where Betsy raised their first child. Following graduation, they move back to Tulsa where they had their second child.

Betsy was a creative. She was a classical pianist, she painted, designed jewelry, designed gardens and flower arrangements. She also became a certified grapho-analyst (handwriting analyst). She was an active member of the community as a docent at Gilcrease Museum, a member of the Junior League and longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church. Betsy and Richard travelled the world visiting China, Russia, several countries in Africa, South America and Asia. They always returned to Tulsa. One of Betsy’s favorite places was Grand Lake, where they started with a small cabin and ultimately built their dream home.

Betsy was preceded in death by her baby brother, Don, her parents, Don and Thelma Hinderliter, and her husband, Richard H. Hughes. She is survived by her two daughters, Debi Hughes of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Leslie Hughes of Denver, Colorado, her sister-in-law, Mary Leslie Hughes, her son-in-law, Kevin Smith, 2 grandchildren Elizabeth Ashley Smith and Christopher Jordan Smith, two great-grandchildren, Lillian Elizabeth and Julien James and cousins, neices and nephews across the country.

Betsy loved life, travel, her family and friends. She approached the good times and bad with calm and poise. She was a kind and quiet “lady” in the truest sense. She will be remembered for her gentle kindness, loving heart and bright smile.

A celebration of life is being planned for early September 2022. Details will be forthcoming.