Elizabeth H. Morrisson

Elizabeth May Hobbs Morrisson passed away peacefully at her home in Holliston, MA, on Saturday, February 13, 2021, a few hours shy of Valentine’s Day −her 98th birthday.

Betty, as she was known, was born on February 14, 1923, in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Elmer Errett Hobbs and Elizabeth Davis Hobbs.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas Ern Morrisson, her sons Jack McCrummen Morrisson and David William Morrisson, and her brother Jack Edward Hobbs. Betty was predeceased by her brothers- and sisters-in-law and was the last of her generation.

Betty is survived by her daughter Mary Elizabeth Abdill and her husband Edward of NY, NY, and four sons: Thomas Hobbs Morrisson and wife Antonina of Newtown, CT; Richard Davis Morrisson and wife Kathleen of Sultan, WA; Stephen Elmer Morrisson and wife Ruth of Bellevue, PA; Norman Paul Morrisson and wife Kelly of Blackstone, MA. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Thomas II, Rosalie (Bradley Mauney), Matthew (Kathy), Sara (Anders Scholl), Heather (Brian Chatterley), Sam (Rachel), Jennifer, Jessica, Rachel, Melissa; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Nathan, Eli, Evelyn, Oskar Scholl, Jane Scholl, and Allegra Mauney. Also, Kathleen’s daughter Dedra Davis and granddaughter Makenzie, and her son David Yeamans, Jr. and granddaughter Eleni.

Betty grew up and went to school in Annapolis, MD. Upon graduation from the University of Maryland in 1943 with a BS in Physical Science, she went to work for the US government in Washington, DC in support of the war effort. At the Office of Scientific Research and Development, predecessor to the National Bureau of Standards, she worked as a mathematician, calculating missile trajectories among other tasks.

World War II ended and her college sweetheart, Tom Morrisson, returned from active duty in Europe after being released from a German POW camp. They were married on August 24, 1945. Shortly after their wedding, Betty and Tom moved to Pittsburgh, PA, followed by moves to Grand Island, NY, Guilderland, NY, and Holliston, MA.

Throughout her life Betty was active in the Presbyterian Church, most recently at the Hartford Street Presbyterian Church, Natick, MA. Betty was a loving and giving person, and helped those in need, including church trips to help build/repair homes for those less fortunate. She loved helping others and remembered to send birthday and Christmas cards to her children, grandchildren, and extended family. She was a longtime member of the American Association of University Women and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Betty loved music, was a wonderful pianist, and regularly sang in her church choir. In addition, she enjoyed playing bridge, knitting, and she loved to sketch. An enthusiastic gardener and talented flower arranger, she was an active member of the local garden clubs and supported the Arbor Day Foundation. She loved flowers in every form and received a beautiful bouquet just hours after she passed.

Pastor Eric Markman officiated her memorial service at Hartford Street Presbyterian Church on February 20, 2021. The service was shared via Zoom, allowing her many friends and extended family members to participate.

Interment with her husband will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

One of Mom’s favorite hymns was:

Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word
I ever with thee and thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, and I thy true son
Thou in me dwelling and I with thee one

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all

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