Information from Betty's obituary in the Gainesville Sun:
Elisabeth "Betty" Huntingdon Chase Odum
Sept 24, 1925 to Feb 18, 2021
Betty's death was unexpected since she was recovering from a mild bout with COVID-19.
"A New Englander by birth and stock, she and her young family moved
to Gainesville, FL, in 1958, and she resided there for the rest of
her life. She loved the wild nature that surrounded her and shared
that love with hundreds of students, her children and her many
grandchildren. A biologist, ecologist, educator, engaged citizen,
and wicked-good card player, she made many contributions to her
community and world during her 95 years.
Born in Hartford, CT on September 24th, 1925 to Eugene Parker
Chase and Ann Francis Hastings Chase, Betty grew up in an academic
family and passed on this heritage to four children, eleven
grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
When released from the academic year, her family would spend
weeks each summer at a family cottage in Branford, CT. There she
would swim, sail, read, and watch the tides. She ensured that her
children and grandchildren enjoyed this Branford legacy as long as
possible.
A frugal woman, her personal attire and possessions were humble
and practical, and yet she spared no expense on education for her
off-spring.
She grew up in the Episcopal Church, and discovered Quakerism as
a teenager while volunteering at a Friend's work-camp in
Washington, DC. There she worked for social justice and racial
integration. She attended Swarthmore College, a historically
Quaker institution, majoring in Zoology. She was an exceptional
student and was admitted to Hahnemann Medical College at
graduation in 1947. But love and tradition would take hold of her,
and she forwent this opportunity in order to elope with her Swarthmore
sweetheart, John Morris Trimmer, and they started a family.
While raising her four children, Betty returned to college and
earned her M. Ed. in 1963 from the University of Florida. She had
volunteered and worked for the Southeastern Yearly Meeting,
leading a variety of First-day programs for children and work-camp
programs for youth. Betty delighted in her many years leading Girl
Scout and Cub Scout Troops.
Betty joined the faculty of Santa Fe Junior College in 1969 as an
instructor of Biology. She retired after thirty years and enjoyed
the status of Professor Emeritus. During her tenure, she advocated
for engaged learning and for equal opportunity for women to teach
and become leaders at the college. She was a member of the
National Organization for Women, the American Civil Liberties
Union, the League of Women Voters, and the Democratic Party.
The family were active members in the Gainesville Friends
Meeting. Both Betty and Morrie served as Clerks of the Meeting and
were actively involved in social justice initiatives. In addition
to camping trips across Florida and to Mexico, they took their
family to DC marches for Civil Rights and to end the Vietnam War.
The family enjoyed many Southeastern Yearly Meeting and Friends
General Conference events. Betty and Morrie's marriage lasted
nearly three decades.
In 1973 Betty married Howard T. Odum, Ph.D., a pioneer in the
field of ecology. The two embarked on a partnership that took them
to speak and lecture in many countries throughout the world. They
co-authored several important publications, including two books,
"Energy Basis for Man and Nature" (McGraw-Hill, 1976) and "The
Prosperous Way Down," (University of Colorado Press, 2001).
Combining her passion for nature with her knowledge of biology
and Quakerism, Betty was an advocate for conservation of natural
resources, family and world peace. She unleashed a flock of
environmental scientists and community builders among her
grandchildren, and took great pride in their work and families. In
the early 70's after selling the family home, she purchased 69
acres along the Santa Fe River in Alachua County and donated a
majority of the land to a land trust to protect it for perpetuity.
Following H.T.'s death in 2002, she found herself living alone for the first time in her life and struggled to adjust to this new environment. At the age of 86, she found love again with a delightful boyfriend, Bob Klein, who was shortly taken from her by Alzheimer's. She found some contentment and companionship through a book group and playing bridge and billiards with friends at The Village in Gainesville. She continued her traveling ways, this time to visit her family. Together they had many adventures to St. Augustine, FL, and beyond, including China, Belize, Morocco, and France. In 2016, she checked off an item on her bucket list – riding a camel in the desert.
Betty was predeceased by her parents; two husbands; her sister
Kathleen Ann Chase Sibun; and her step-daughter Ann Odum.
She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Ruth
Trimmer (Burton Smith), Alachua, FL; Peter Trimmer (Jane Doyle),
Silver Spring, MD; Kathleen Trimmer (Dan Campbell), Wakefield, RI;
S. Morris Trimmer (Amy DeHart), Lexington, VA; one step-daughter,
Mary Logan, Gainesville; eleven grandchildren: Quilla Miralia;
Luke Trimmer-Smith; Elliott Campbell; Eryn Trimmer; Anthony
Campbell; Russell Trimmer; Tanya Trimmer; Kristina Campbell; Maya
DeHart; Tolya Trimmer; and Olivia Trimmer; one step-granddaughter,
Kelsey Logan Jeske; one step great-granddaughter; eight great
grandchildren; and two nieces.
A celebration of her life will take place at the Gainesville
Friends Meeting when the pandemic recedes. Her ashes will be
interred in Hebron, CT, alongside her parents and sister."
This is a quote from A Prosperous Way Down by Howard T. Odum and Elizabeth C. Odum.
what a LOVELY account of Betty's life! I'm especially taken with her book "A Prosperous Way Down"
ReplyDeletehttps://www.worldcat.org/title/prosperous-way-down-principles-and-policies/oclc/775301656&referer=brief_results
In fact I just requested it from Interlibrary Loan, although I read practically nothing anymore... I like to get a little idea and think about it a lot...
"Although history records the collapse of countless civilizations, some societies and ecosystems have managed to descend in orderly stages, reducing demands and selecting and saving what is most important."
When Betty's name appeared in your post, I flashed on her lovely face and remembered what a joy she was to be around, during our short time of encountering one another at Gainesville Friends Meeting.... Thank you for posting all this!
ReplyDeleteSusan J's first comment gives a link to WORLDCAT which is helpful in locating books which one may be trying to track down. When you connect to the link and page down you can find libraries where the book is available. Give WORLDCAT your location and you will see libraries in your vicinity which have the book in their collections. Often if your local library doesn't have the book, they will get it for you by interlibrary loan from another library.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan for our comments, especially the link to WORLDCAT.