Elizabeth Barlow

Betsy Davis was born at Borgess Hospital on Halloween, 1931 to Cameron and Irene Davis. She grew up in Kalamazoo, attending State High and spending summers with family and friends on Gull Lake.

Betsy graduated from Carleton College and received advanced degrees from Oxford University and the University of Michigan. After college, Betsy spent a year in Lebanon teaching English. Her experience living with Palestinian refugees led to a lifelong commitment to their cause. She worked relentlessly to promote peace and justice in the region.

She met her future husband, Robin Barlow, at Oxford. He left England to make a life with Betsy in America. They were wed in Kalamazoo in 1957 and settled in Ann Arbor. They were blessed with four children: Jim, Jennifer, Gwendolyn and Rebecca.

Betsy held a number of administrative positions at the University of Michigan before landing her dream job: outreach coordinator for the Middle East center. She worked with students, educators and activists to advance cross-cultural understanding. She inspired people and made friends all over the world.

In Ann Arbor, Betsy's impact was felt from the Housing Commission to Peace Neighborhood Center to the Church of the Incarnation. She believed in acting locally to create a better world.

Family life with Betsy and Robin was lively. There were travels - to visit family, to support Robin's work, and just for fun. There were sports, music and theater. There were summers at Gull Lake, and good times with friends. Betsy was a spectacular hostess.

After retiring, Betsy and Robin returned to Kalamazoo County to be near family. She relished the role of grandmother, helping with child care, attending sports events, band concerts and school plays, and teaching piano to her grandchildren.

Declining health was a challenge toward the end, but Betsy never lost her passion for social justice nor her devotion to community. She appreciated her congregation at St. Timothy's in Richland, and made many new friends at NorthPointe Woods in Battle Creek where she spent her final years.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Margery Romberger, her husband Robin, her daughter Gwendolyn, and her grandson Michael Barlow. She is survived by her son Jim Barlow (Amy Domaszek), daughter Jennifer Barlow (Ed Gibbs), daughter Rebecca Barlow (Michael Cooper), grandchildren Gregory and Andrew Barlow, Angus and Clyde Gibbs, Eleanor Barlow, Leo and Cully Cooper (and Leo's wife Sydney), as well as nieces, nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Betsy will be held at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Richland MI on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 2 p.m.

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