Elizabeth “Betsy” Profeta
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Funeral services for Elizabeth “Betsy” Nelick Profeta, 61, North Port, Florida will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence, KS. Private interment will be at the Stony Point Cemetery in southern, Douglas County. She died on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
She was born on November 24, 1948 in Madison, Wisconsin, the daughter of Franklyn C. & Elizabeth Mount Nelick. She had formerly lived in Lawrence and was currently visiting here.
Ms. Profeta was a 1966 graduate of Lawrence High School and was the class valedictorian. She received a B.A. in English in 1970 from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. She later received her M.A. from the State College of New York in Buffalo. During her undergraduate years, she spent a semester at Oxford University in England.
She began her career as a volunteer with VISTA in Liberia and with Peace Corps in Afghanistan. Later she worked overseas for several companies, teaching English as a second language in Africa, Iran, Italy and Saudi Arabia. She brought this rich cultural background to her subsequent service as an educator at several regional institutions of higher education and for the State of Kansas. She recently taught English at Manatee College in Florida.
She was married to John Profeta and he survives of Florida.
Other survivors include a son, Jamie Profeta, of the U.S. Virgin Islands, two brothers; Tim Nelick, of Memphis, TN and Jamie (wife, Lisa) of rural Douglas County, KS.
The family will greet friends at the church following her services.
The family suggests memorials in her name to the Lawrence Humane Society and may be sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
I am stunned and saddened to learn of Betsy’s death. We had tried to get together during her visit to Lawrence this past two weeks, but snow and ice prevented our doing it. We did talk a couple of times on the phone. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for any of you. I will be at the service on Wednesday. We have lost a very special person.
Clenece Roberts Hills
I am very sorry to hear of Betsy’s death I have not seen her for many years, but enjoyed our friendship in the 1970’s. Please accept my deep and heartfelt sympathy for your family.
I was very sorry to hear of Betsy’s passing. We went to high school together and I remember her as a perky upbeat person.
My prayers for Betsy and her entire family. I knew her through Trinity as a wonderful person and a dedicated worker. I hope to be at the services on Wednesday.
I never had a finer debate partner. It is clear Betsy went on from high school to accomplish much good for others and, at least in a modest way, for the betterment of the world. I wish there were more like her.
We will truly miss Betsy’s sweet nature and keen wit.
Betsy intrigued us with her experiences during our 20th high school reunion. May her friends and family find comfort knowing how she touched our lives and the lives of others.
I was taken aback to see the notice of Betsy’s death. I attended Cornell College with Betsy during ’70s and, although we were not close, I was definitely aware of her presence. She was one of those upperclassmen that everyone looked up to and admired. In such a small school (Cornell had about 1000 students total), it is impossible not to know names, but Betsy was more than a name…she was an inspiration. My sympathies go out to her family at this time.
I was taken aback to see the notice of Betsy’s death. I attended Cornell College with Betsy during ’70s and, although we were not close, I was definitely aware of her presence. She was one of those upperclassmen that everyone looked up to and admired. In such a small school (Cornell had about 1000 students total), it is impossible not to know names, but Betsy was more than a name…she was an inspiration. My sympathies go out to her family at this time.
I am saddened to hear of Betsy’s passing, as I knew first and foremost Tim, with whom I attended Pinckney grade school, and was fortunate to have spent time in the Nelick home. I also worked with Betsy in the Catering Department at the KU Union, and loved her kind ways and fun spirit. Although a longer letter is coming to Tim and the entire family, in care of Warren-McElwain, I want them to know that I have them all in my thoughts, here in Arizona. Please watch for my longer letter.
As always, Rosie Pinet Hartner
What a shock to hear of Betsy’s passing. She was a smart and beautiful girl in high school and obviously went on to be very successful in life. My condolences to the family.
Mrs Profeta was a professor of mine who I kept insisting on having each semester. She was such a true inspiration for everyone and helped me through some very trying times in my life. My 9 yr old son and her had an incredible friendship and he just asked about her the other day. For those of us who not only knew her, but got the pleasure of learning from her are truly blessed. I just found out today so I apologize for the lateness…I am truly sorry..she spoke of her husband and son frequently. She liked telling us girls about her “date nights” with her husband. We all loved hearing her stories and accomplishments. If anyone knows what happened to her husband I would appreciate for someone to tell me. My condolences.
Mrs Profeta was a professor of mine who I kept insisting on having each semester. She was such a true inspiration for everyone and helped me through some very trying times in my life. My 9 yr old son and her had an incredible friendship and he just asked about her the other day. For those of us who not only knew her, but got the pleasure of learning from her are truly blessed. I just found out today so I apologize for the lateness…I am truly sorry..she spoke of her husband and son frequently. She liked telling us girls about her “date nights” with her husband. We all loved hearing her stories and accomplishments. If anyone knows what happened to her husband I would appreciate for someone to tell me. My condolences.
I’ll always remember Betsy for her kindness to her students and her unique sense of humor. She was an inspiration to me in the way she carried on through hard times with never the slightest complaint. She will by missed by all who knew her.
I apologize for the lateness. Betsy was an editor for some of my work. I was shocked to hear of her passing. I enjoyed listening to her adventures. I will surely miss her presence.
Never in my life had a teacher touched me, so much. Not only was she a briliant teacher, but she was a wonderful friend. I had been going thru a hard time, as was she, and we found a true friendship, that will never be again. I love her and I hope that her worries are now gone. She will never be forgotten.
I am so saddened to hear about the loss of my favorite Professor. I wouldn’t of had another English teacher. I waited a whole year to take my second English class just to take her class. She was such an inspiration!! She was my hero!!!
Betsy will be missed by many of us at MCC! She was always a kind and caring professor to me. We had some things in common being raised in the midwest and I can only hope to leave behind the kind of legacy she leaves us with. She was the kind of person who lived her life to the fullest. I will miss hearing her stories. All my love and prayers to her family – Gina
I did not know Betsy all that well but I certainly do remember her from the few times we did meet. How could one forget the humor and radiant personality? I give the Nelick family my most sincere sympathy for their great loss.