Betsey Avery Copp Halsey of Mystic, CT died peacefully on November 19, 2016. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Ralph W. Halsey, Jr., who died in 2004. Betsey was born on October 29, 1923, to Elizabeth (Thoeming) and Belton Allyn Copp III in Memphis, TN, where she was raised. She was a proud graduate of Emma Willard School and Vassar College and classmates from both schools were her life-long friends.
While raised in Memphis, she returned to her family’s deep Groton, CT roots upon graduating from Vassar. However, she always retained her southern charm and accent, and she radiated a warmth and kindness which was felt by all with whom she came in contact. She was very active in the New Haven and Yale communities for more than 50 years and especially enjoyed her service to and support of the Yale University Art Gallery. Putting her education to good use, she never missed a chance to correct her children’s and grandchildren’s spoken grammar, and she relished each of these many opportunities!
Betsey is survived by her four children, Avery H. Dickinson of Wakefield, RI, Ralph W. (Peter) Halsey III of New Haven, CT, Thomas S. Halsey of Dallas, TX, and Andrew M. Halsey of Mystic, CT and seventeen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Her children would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the fabulous team of caregivers, self-named “Betsey’s Posse,” for the excellent care they provided to Betsey over the past three years. There will be no service and the family requests that no flowers be sent nor contributions be made. A random act of kindness would be all Betsey would want.