Elizabeth Tiffany (Betty) lived an abundant, wonderful life. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Lillian Olive Flad and George William Flad. She attended St. Paul Central High School, Macalester College, and the University of Minnesota where she earned her Masters Degree in social work. Throughout her life she expressed a gift for joyful service to her communities, and worked countless hours in support of the YWCA, Neighborhood House on St. Paul’s West Side, the Schubert Club, P.E.O., House of Hope Presbyterian Church, and the Girl Scouts.
She married Robert Elliott Jr. in 1946. Betty and Bob had four children: Ann, Robert, Bruce and Katherine. A devoted Mom, Betty continued her volunteer work in service to the broader community throughout their marriage. Following Bob’s death in 1967, Betty went to work full time at St. Paul Ramsey Hospital where she excelled as Director of Volunteer Services, building new bridges of respect and cooperation between the professional staff and the volunteer organizations within the hospital.
In 1977, Betty married Francis B. Tiffany, and her family grew to include the Tiffany children, Randy, Anne, and Deborah. Betty and Frank traveled the world, and loved their home in Sunfish Lake Village where they tapped Maple Trees, maintained beautiful gardens and enjoyed their many and varied groups of friends. When they weren’t traveling or at home, they could be found at their beloved cabin on the North Shore of Lake Superior where they enjoyed hiking, canoeing and trips in the boundary waters with friends and family alike. Now retired from St. Paul Ramsey Hospital, Betty continued her life-long service to others through volunteer and church activities.
Following Frank’s death in 2005, Betty remained in Minnesota for five years until she moved to live with her daughter, Kate, and son-in-law, Larry, in Batavia, New York. Kate was honored to be Betty’s caregiver for the rest of Betty’s life. Betty and Kate split their time between Batavia and Betty’s cabin on the North Shore. Throughout her eighties, nineties and to the end of her life Betty continued her inspirational practice of serving others. Betty volunteered as a Reading Buddy, knitted hundreds of prayer shawls and pairs of mittens, traveled to Zimbabwe on a mission trip, made over 1,000 dresses for the “Little Dresses for Africa” program, led knitting classes, served on church committees in New York and Minnesota, hosted gatherings of all sorts enriching the lives of her fellow travelers with a smile and handshake along the way. Betty loved people, took nothing for granted and woke each morning full of joy for the blessing of a new day.
Betty died peacefully at her cabin on the North Shore, looking out over Lake Superior, the warmth of the morning sun upon her, her life complete. She loved God, her family, and her life in service to others. And she was really, really fun. She is survived by the seven Elliott/Tiffany children, Ann Elliott, Robert Elliott III (Suzanne), Bruce Elliott (Susan), Kate Riegel (Larry), Randy Tiffany (Linda), Anne Tiffany (Jeff), Deborah Tiffany, and by her 15 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Betty’s family is deeply grateful to Kate Riegel, who was the linchpin for Betty’s care and the engine that allowed Betty’s desire to serve the people and communities she loved to continue in her later life. The family is deeply grateful as well to the wonderful persons on Betty’s caregiving and hospice teams who for years provided loving, joyful, expert care.
Betty’s service will be held at the United Church of Two Harbors, 531 3rd Ave., Two Harbors, Minnesota on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. The service will immediately follow a visitation at the church at 1:00 P.M. to which all are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Two Harbors Area Food Shelf, 2124 10th St., Two Harbors, MN 55616 or to St. Croix Hospice, 1725A Maple Grove Rd., Duluth, MN 55811.
