Elizabeth “Betty” Adair

Elizabeth Brandenburg “Betty” Adair passed away surrounded by her family on April 13 at 85 years old. She was a 60 year resident of Flourtown, adoring wife, mother, and grandmother, and longtime member and volunteer at the Flourtown Presbyterian Church. Full of love, fun, and generosity, Betty was busy everyday cooking for family, leading the welcoming committee at church, volunteering for the homeless, and entertaining her many, many friends.

 

She was born to Michael and Catherine Brandenburg, immigrants from Germany and Hungary, and grew up in North Philadelphia during the Depression and World War II. She babysat for all the neighborhood kids and worked as a soda jerk at the corner drugstore. She graduated from Germantown High School in 1949 and then began work as an executive secretary. In 1955 all that changed when she married George B. Adair and they moved to Chestnut Hill. They soon had their first child, daughter Beth, and then sons Stuart and Bill followed. In 1957 they moved to Flourtown. Betty lived in that house for the remainder of her life, spending most of her time in the kitchen and on her beloved porch — talking to all the neighbors who came by. For many years, Betty worked part-time jobs as a secretary and school librarian. She loved working with people.

 

Most of all Betty adored being a mother and grandmother, showing up at every play, concert, soccer and basketball game and always being the biggest cheerleader. She orchestrated incredible family fun — with her festive Christmases, her amazingly creative Halloween costumes, on treasured family vacations to Ocean City, and with her delicious spaghetti dinners and home-baked cakes. Extended family, friends, and neighbors were always welcome.

 

She cared lovingly for her husband George at home for many years during a long illness.  After he passed away in 2008 she continued to live everyday to the fullest, attending orchestra concerts and ballet with friends, watching every Phillies game, and planning the next family get together. She celebrated her 85th birthday happily with a big family picnic.

 

She is survived by her three children, Beth Adair Hallowell (Stephen Hallowell), Stuart Adair (Reggie Pindell), and Bill Adair (Tom Grammer), and by three grandchildren Tim, Andrew, and Sarah Hallowell. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews and hundreds of friends.

 

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 29 at 11am (family visitation time at 10am) at the First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, 1710 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031. Guests may also gather following the service for refreshments at the church.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania, 100 E. Northwestern Ave. Phila, PA. 19118 or The First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, 1710 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031.