Betsy was a strong, independent woman who lived life on her terms. She was great at remembering your birthday or finding that perfect little gift that was just right for you! Her beautiful baby blue eyes would shine when she greeted you.

– 82 years old- Born August 26, 1936 in Washington DC- Passed on July 5th, 2019 in Falls Church, Virginia

Elizabeth Eakin Walsh of McLean, Virginia passed on peacefully with family by her side at INOVA Hospital. The sudden onset of “Hashimoto encephalopathy” was the final diagnosis of her death (a rare diagnosis that is often classified as probable autoimmune encephalitis).

Jock & Betsy

A lifetime Washingtonian – She grew up in Falls Church, Virginia and during her late teenage years, the family moved to Washington DC.  After getting married, she moved to Arlington and then McLean, VA. She also lived in Great Falls for a while. However, approximately 50 years of her time was spent in five different homes in McLean, Virginia.

As a homeowner, whenever possible, she enjoyed fixing up, renovating or designing most of the homes she lived in prior to moving into them.Betsy – as she very much preferred to be called- was the second of five children. She was fond of her Falls Church upbringing on Broad Street where she could walk to school, Brown’s General Store up till 1949 (now a Hardware store) and The State Theater (she would share how she remembered that the theater was the first place to get air conditioning around 1950!). She also enjoyed her final teenage years in their home on Foxhall Road in Washington DC.She graduated from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in 1954. In 1956, she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree from Bennett Junior College located about 50 miles due north of New York City.

After a wonderful graduation gift – an 80-day cruise tour on the Queen Mary throughout Europe, she settled back in the Washington DC area. One of her first jobs was with the National Geographic. In the late 50’s she would meet Raymond Vincent Walsh of Long Island, New York and was soon married. She had two sons Jeff Walsh (1960) and Tim Walsh (1964). She divorced in 1973 and moved to a townhouse within easy walking distance to downtown McLean. A variety of different work experiences in Washington DC or within the Northern Virginia area kept her busy during the professional years.

Outside work, rarely, could you find a bigger Washington Redskins Fan (60-year season ticket holder!) who also enjoyed playing many other sports when growing up and following or watching them in her later years. To name a few… She rode horses, played softball, basketball and tennis growing up and enjoyed following horse racing, tennis, baseball and especially watching the NFL games while avidly following her beloved “Skins” via live games or through newspapers/TV broadcasts, Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation events or even occasional visits to Redskins Park (their training facility).

Betsy was also known as an avid animal lover. She raised different kinds of cats and dogs over the years including a parakeet. Some were homeless and found a new home with her. She often had unique animal stories to share when asked. She often donated to many animal safety and preservation groups like the Fairfax County and The Humane Society of the United States, Friends of the National Zoo, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to name a few. Her final home of 12 years was located in The Palladium At McLean. She once wrote that her condo is “the perfect location to live….I don’t foresee moving again from this excellent spot any time soon!”

This website has been created to allow family and friends to share stories, memories and condolences. You will find the “Condolences” section below and the ability to share a story under “Share a Memory” tab above. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial contribution be made in her name to The Fairfax County Park Foundation.

Her grandfather, LeRoy Eakin Sr., donated the first park to Fairfax County!https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/about-fcpf/board-and-staff/tim-eakin-walsh/

Donation Link : https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/donate-2/

A Celebration of Life Service for Betsy and her friends and family will be held September 21, Saturday at 3 PM at the McLean Community Center at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101. A reception and dinner immediately following (approximately 4 PM) will be held at J.Gilbert’s Restaurant at 6930 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101 (less than ½ mile away). Please RSVP For Reception.

Betsy was a strong, independent woman who lived life on her terms. She was great at remembering your birthday or finding that perfect little gift that was just right for you! Her beautiful baby blue eyes would shine when she greeted you.

– 82 years old- Born August 26, 1936 in Washington DC- Passed on July 5th, 2019 in Falls Church, Virginia

Elizabeth Eakin Walsh of McLean, Virginia passed on peacefully with family by her side at INOVA Hospital. The sudden onset of “Hashimoto encephalopathy” was the final diagnosis of her death (a rare diagnosis that is often classified as probable autoimmune encephalitis).

Jock & Betsy

A lifetime Washingtonian – She grew up in Falls Church, Virginia and during her late teenage years, the family moved to Washington DC.  After getting married, she moved to Arlington and then McLean, VA. She also lived in Great Falls for a while. However, approximately 50 years of her time was spent in five different homes in McLean, Virginia.

As a homeowner, whenever possible, she enjoyed fixing up, renovating or designing most of the homes she lived in prior to moving into them.Betsy – as she very much preferred to be called- was the second of five children. She was fond of her Falls Church upbringing on Broad Street where she could walk to school, Brown’s General Store up till 1949 (now a Hardware store) and The State Theater (she would share how she remembered that the theater was the first place to get air conditioning around 1950!). She also enjoyed her final teenage years in their home on Foxhall Road in Washington DC.She graduated from Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School in 1954. In 1956, she earned an Associate in Applied Science degree from Bennett Junior College located about 50 miles due north of New York City.

After a wonderful graduation gift – an 80-day cruise tour on the Queen Mary throughout Europe, she settled back in the Washington DC area. One of her first jobs was with the National Geographic. In the late 50’s she would meet Raymond Vincent Walsh of Long Island, New York and was soon married. She had two sons Jeff Walsh (1960) and Tim Walsh (1964). She divorced in 1973 and moved to a townhouse within easy walking distance to downtown McLean. A variety of different work experiences in Washington DC or within the Northern Virginia area kept her busy during the professional years.

Outside work, rarely, could you find a bigger Washington Redskins Fan (60-year season ticket holder!) who also enjoyed playing many other sports when growing up and following or watching them in her later years. To name a few… She rode horses, played softball, basketball and tennis growing up and enjoyed following horse racing, tennis, baseball and especially watching the NFL games while avidly following her beloved “Skins” via live games or through newspapers/TV broadcasts, Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation events or even occasional visits to Redskins Park (their training facility).

Betsy was also known as an avid animal lover. She raised different kinds of cats and dogs over the years including a parakeet. Some were homeless and found a new home with her. She often had unique animal stories to share when asked. She often donated to many animal safety and preservation groups like the Fairfax County and The Humane Society of the United States, Friends of the National Zoo, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to name a few. Her final home of 12 years was located in The Palladium At McLean. She once wrote that her condo is “the perfect location to live….I don’t foresee moving again from this excellent spot any time soon!”

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial contribution be made in her name to The Fairfax County Park Foundation.

Her grandfather, LeRoy Eakin Sr., donated the first park to Fairfax County!https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/about-fcpf/board-and-staff/tim-eakin-walsh/

Donation Link : https://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/donate-2/

A Celebration of Life Service for Betsy and her friends and family will be held September 21, Saturday at 3 PM at the McLean Community Center at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101. A reception and dinner immediately following (approximately 4 PM) will be held at J.Gilbert’s Restaurant at 6930 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101 (less than ½ mile away). Please RSVP For Reception.

1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean, VA 22101

6930 Old Dominion Drive, McLean, VA 22101

CONDOLENCES

Thank you for being a part of Betsy’s life. Please leave a message for the family below. 

CONDOLENCES

Thank you for being a part of Betsy’s life. Please leave a message for the family below.