Betty J. Elder, 83, of Canton, Ohio, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico and Key Biscayne, Florida died peacefully on February 6, 2021.
Born in Canton, Ohio to Dr. David H. Bachtel and Eileen Bachtel, she is survived by husband John Elder of Coral Gables, Florida, sister Lee Bachtel, daughters Bridget Elder (Ken Milman) of Bennington, Vermont and Melanie Elder (Enrique D'Apremont) of Coconut Grove, Florida, grandchildren Briana Milman, Eileen Milman, Paul Milman, Denisse D'Apremont, Nicolas D'Apremont, and their spouses/partners, great grandchildren Fiona Bee, Isidora, Bruno and Pascual, other family and many friends.
She will be missed and remembered for her gracious hospitality, artistic endeavors, community involvement, sense of adventure and enthusiasm for the arts and other cultures.
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About |
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| Name | Betty Elder |
| Date of Birth | December 13th, 1937 |
| Date of Death | February 6th, 2021 |
| Home Town | Canton, OH, US |
| Other City | Miami, FL, US |
| In Memoriam Donation | Alzheimer’s Association |
| In Memoriam Donation | Easter Seals of South Florida |
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Family |
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| Significant Other | John Elder |
| Siblings | Lee Bachtel |
| Parents | David H. Bachtel, Eileen Bachtel |
| Children | Bridget Elder, Melanie Elder |
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published a tribute .
I was lucky to have Betty as a sponsor and mentor for my senior project at Colegio Nueva Granada in 1989, creating the documentary “Armero Mañana”. The time that Betty devoted to me and the things that I learned in a few months of observing her, seeing how she interacted and was loved by all. She was simply amazing! Funny, her Spanglish, playing cards... Sorry we did not connect later in life. My sincere condolences to John, Melanie and the rest of the family. Hope we can meet again some day.
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published a tribute .
Something I'll always remember fondly is that Grammy Betty had the most amazing and cartoony way of rolling her eyes and huffing and puffing at her husband's funny (and sometimes unfunny) bits and antics. While she was a bit more of an enigma to me when I was a small child, spending summers with my grandparents at various camps (spoiled!) and summer schools more than allowed me to make up for lost time. We shared many, many meals together, and many many long conversations about the state of the world. Dinner was rarely boring. Her love of the arts, stories from Costa Rica and Colombia (and Mexico) were all fascinating. Her photos, from all over South and Latin America, filled me with a desire to see the world. I hope that one day I too can look back on a life filled with art and travel.
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published a tribute .
I am blessed with some wonderful memories of Betty. What is most prominent to me throughout those memories was her laugh, big hugs, and smile. Going to Key Biscayne many summers as a child I grew an admiration of her photography and artistic perspective. I am sad she is gone but happy, knowing she is at peace. I will always remember her laughing at my grandfather’s jokes and checking him on his bad ones... and the smiles that came with both.
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published a tribute .
Siempre te recordaremos querida Bety, una mujer con mucho talento, sonrisa dulce y encantadora. Te enviamos un abrazo al cielo donde te encuentras libre y lo mas seguro tomando fotografías. Como familia te llevamos en e corazón, tuvimos la :gran oportunidad de conocerte y damos gracias por eso. Recibe nuestro cariño y besos al cielo para ti Bety querida, sienpre en nuestros
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published a tribute .
I have joyous memories and feel blessed to have the opportunity to have met her. She always had that contagious smile. I am sad, yet relieved about her passing but certain she found peace after years of battle - I will carry her admirable perseverance within me.
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published a tribute .
I have fond memories of Betty Elder from Costa Rica in the 70’s.
The art on the walls in her home was so tasteful. (My brother still has one or two pieces he acquired from the elder Elders when they moved away from CR.)
The photos of the girls were also beautifully laid out and framed. Betty had an eye. There was a cute one of Mel holding a rock over her head - which she didn’t like at all. I couldn’t understand why. She explained that moments after the picture was taken, she dropped the rock on her head!
Betty and my mother were good friends in that little expat community in CR. They were both cast in a play put on by the Little Theatre Group. I don’t remember the name of it - but I do remember the enthusiasm we all had for the theatre. Side bar: I will never forget John as Snoopy in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown – and the night he fell off the stage from acting too realistically like a dog.
I think fondly of the Elder family then and now. The daughters were lucky to be able to spend time with their parents later in life, living nearby. Love to you all.
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