Elizabeth Jeschke Montgomery
May 3, 1925 ~ October 11, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Elizabeth 'Betsy' Jeschke Montgomery (88) died on October 11, 2013. She was born May 3, 1925 in South Bend, Indiana to beloved parents Woodard and Doris Jeschke of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
With her sister Barbara, Betsy attended public schools in Milwaukee and college at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. While at DePauw she joined the synchronized swimming team and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. There she met the love of her life, Wayne Montgomery. Betsy and Wayne were married in Milwaukee on October 19, 1946.
She and Wayne moved to Detroit where Wayne entered Medical School at Wayne University. Son Swope was born in 1948 and Woody in 1950. The next move was to Memphis where Wayne entered Campbell Clinic for residency school, and Ann was born in 1952. Betsy returned to Milwaukee in 1953, while Wayne served in the Navy Medical Corp in Japan. Jane was born in June that year.
Betsy and Wayne moved to Asheville in 1955. Mary was born in 1956. Betsy was active with the Junior League and volunteered to paint murals in the local schools. She later painted sets for puppet shows at the Asheville Community Theatre, and she continued her love of painting and art throughout her life.
With Swope and Woody playing sports every afternoon, Betsy was concerned that there were few athletic activities for girls. In 1963 she began coaching AAU swimming for girls and boys and would continue for the next 15 years, developing several nationally ranked swimmers including daughter Mary who swam in both the Pan Am games and 1972 Olympics in Munich Germany. In 1969 she started the swim team at UNC Asheville and coached for five years. In 2002 Betsy was elected to the Western North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Betsy and Wayne believed in the benefits of physical activity. She and Wayne swam every morning and Betsy played tennis three days a week. In those very busy days, Betsy's priority was to her family, taking care of the home, the swim team and her art. The kitchen was where neighborhood kids and friends flocked, and Betsy made sure everyone from every walk of life was always welcome.
Wayne retired from orthopedics in 1993 and he and Betsy enjoyed an active phase of travel, weddings, hosting family and grandchildren at their home at 55 Sunset Parkway. Betsy loved their trips to Longboat Key, Florida, but always she loved her family and friends- and we in turn love her still, and celebrate the person she was and the life she led.
Surviving are her husband of 67 years, Wayne S. Montgomery, Sons W. Swope Montgomery (Jamestown, NC), Woodard Page Montgomery (Fairfax, VA), daughters Ann Elizabeth Sims (Asheville, NC), Jane M. Whetsell (Bethesda, MD) and Mary Montgomery (Asheville, NC). There are 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Please join the family of Betsy Montgomery for a visitation on Friday, December 6, 5:30-7pm, at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, Long Shoals Road, and a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, December 7, 10:30 am at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, Long Shoals Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Black Mountain Home for Children, 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
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My heartfelt condolences go out to the Montgomery family. Betsy Montgomery had an early and lasting positive influence on my life, and on the lives of so many other kids growing up in Asheville for so many years.
I am stunned and saddened beyond words right now. Betsy was my swim coach and Mary was and still is my childhood Hero. My thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Swope & Family,
I was simply very sorry to hear of the passing of your mother the injuries to your father and sister.
I grew up in Asheville and my father was active in city government with Dr. Montgomery and both of my parents are and have been very close to Mary over the years. May our Lord give you the strength to navigate this very difficult time.
I am saddened to hear of this tragedy. Betsy will be remembered for her dedication as our coach of the swim team. She instilled a work ethic that is with me today. I pray for Wayne and Mary to heal. My thoughts are with the entire family. God bless.
Sad news travels fast. I am stunned to learn of this Montgomery tragedy. Betsy was a super swim coach and Mary my pal on the relay team. Dr. Montgomery set my broken ankle. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Please let me know if there is anything we can do for you. God bless and receive healing.
I am so very sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences. May you be comforted by Gods promise that he is near to those broken at heart and those crushed in spirit he saves. (Ps 34:18)
I am devastated to hear of the terrible loss for the Montgomery family. Betsy was a truly remarkable and loving person. We will all miss her. Special prayers and blessings for a swift recovery for Wayne and Mary.
Dearest Montgomery Family,
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of one of the all-time best swim coaches ever – Betsy Montgomery. She was truly an incredible woman and an inspiration to so many of us who swam with her. We have so many great memories of swimming with Mrs. Montgomery. Please accept my condolences and know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love to you all.
I recently read about the death or your dear loved one. Although we are not acquainted please accept our condolences. 2 Corinthians 1:3 says: ‘Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort.’ That bible verse indicates that God can help his faithful servants to endure any problem or challenge that they may face. One way God does this is providing comfort through others such as family, friends and in this case even ones we may not be acquainted with personally.
Dear Mr. Montgomery,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your wife, Betsy. Although we are not personally acquainted please accept our families condolences. During a quiet moment may you find solace in the reassurance that is found in the bible at Revelation 21:4′ it says: ‘And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more… The former things have passed away…’ In our thoughts.
We are so sorry for your loss. Revelations 21:4 ( And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, And death will be no more , neither will mourning, nor out cry, nor death be any more, the former things will pass away.) I hope that this scripture will bring you and your family some comfort at this hard time.
Montgomery Family, you are in our thoughts and Prayers. May God give you strength and comfort .
I am so sorry for your loss. Dr Montgomery was my dr for many years. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry to hear about the loss of such a wonderful woman who impacted a lot of lives. She will be missed by many!
May I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Betsy Montgomery. I was a classmate of Swope. May God bless you tenderly in this time.
Talula (Beth) Cartwright
I wish to extend my condolences to the entire Montgomery family. I pray that this family will feel God’s prescience and know that so many of us former classmates care and wish you comfort and peace both now and forever.
I want to extend my condolences to entire Montgomery family. My God Bless all of you for you loss. I was classmates at Lee H. Edwards the class of ’68 with Swope, Woody and Mary.
I offer my deepest sympathy to Swope, Dr. Montgomery and all friends/family. My Mrs. Montgomery’s memory be a blessing and inspiration to all who knew her and those whose life she impacted.. May the strength of classmates (I was a classmate of Swope) and the community at large, bring peace and comfort to you at this most difficult time..
Condolences to the family. Dr Montgomery was my little league coach and Swope and I were teammates.
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Montgomery’s passing. She was an amazing woman and my heartfelt prayers go out to her wonderful husband and children.
My sincere condolences to Dr. Montgomery, my friend and
classmate Swope, and the entire family. Know your wife and mom made a
positive difference in many lives. I pray for your emotional and physical
healing. God bless.
Dear Montgomery Family,
It’s always sad to lose someone so loved. I offer my sincere condolences. I have found that reading the Bible’s hope for the dead loved ones have helped me to deal with the lose of my dear ones. Please see ;http://www.jw.org/en/publicati…
I hope it helps you as it has helped me.
Please accept our families sincerest condolence on the loss of your loved one.
Ps 147:3 says ‘He heals the brokenhearted ones, and he binds up their wounds.’ We need comfort in many areas of life. One of the greatest causes of grief is the loss of a loved one in death, especially a beloved marriage mate or a child. In times of distress, we may need comfort that soothes our heart, our mind, our emotions, and both our physical and spiritual health. God’s Word acknowledges that our heart can be “broken and crushed.†(Ps. 51:17) Even in severe situations, God can bring relief to a stricken heart if we pray to him in full faith. May he continue to be with your family during this difficult time.
Mary and family, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. Betsy was an amazing example of the path to living healthy and well into later years. I am shocked and saddened for you and your family. Please accept my most sincere condolences and prayers for soothing hour hearts.
I just got a call from my brother Frank Roach tonight to tell me that Betsy ( My second Mother) had died. My heart is broken and wish I had known so I could have been at her memorial. My family lived next door to the Montgomery’s on Sunset Parkway. Oak lane separated our driveways. Mary was my best friend growing up next door and still is even though we haven’t seen each other in over 9-10 years! That kind of friendship never ends! Betsy was like a second mother to me and I loved her so deeply. She was such a strong woman role model for us girls in the 60’s and 70’s those years from toddlers to graduating college. She showed us that we could be strong,graceful,ambitious and never lose track of the most important thing; family. I grew up running back and forth from my house to the Montgomery’s. I even learned to ride my bike in their circle driveway! My memories of Betsy are in every part of my life from birth to the last time I saw her. She will always hold a special place in my heart. May God comfort you Wayne, Swope, Woody, Ann, Jane, and Mary. Please know I’m am keeping all of you in my heart and prayers.
Mary Jane Roach Sasnett
I just got a call from my brother Frank Roach tonight to tell me that Betsy ( My second Mother) had died. My heart is broken and wish I had known so I could have been at her memorial. My family lived next door to the Montgomery’s on Sunset Parkway. Oak lane separated our driveways. Mary was my best friend growing up next door and still is even though we haven’t seen each other in over 9-10 years! That kind of friendship never ends! Betsy was like a second mother to me and I loved her so deeply. She was such a strong woman role model for us girls in the 60’s and 70’s those years from toddlers to graduating college. She showed us that we could be strong,graceful,ambitious and never lose track of the most important thing; family. I grew up running back and forth from my house to the Montgomery’s. I even learned to ride my bike in their circle driveway! My memories of Betsy are in every part of my life from birth to the last time I saw her. She will always hold a special place in my heart. May God comfort you Wayne, Swope, Woody, Ann, Jane, and Mary. Please know I’m am keeping all of you in my heart and prayers.
Mary Jane Roach Sasnett
This is three years late. Still. Mrs. Montgomery was a great coach, a fair coach, plus we had loads of fun traveling to swim meets. She was also the coach of an Olympian—her daughter, Mary. Great memories.
This, too, is three years late. But Betsy was my swim coach and I swam with Mary, and Connie and Karen Hartman. It was the best time of my life. She always made me walk the line and I’m glad she did. All I can say is thank you to her. Best wishes to your family.