With sadness we share the news of the passing of Elizabeth Walkingstick “Betty” Theobald, 92, of Cape May Point on Saturday, March 28, 2015. She was the mother of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol J. Gallagher, Assistant Bishop here in the Diocese of Newark from 2005 to 2007.
Relatives and friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, in the First Presbyterian Church of Cape May, 500 Hughes St., Cape May. Betty’s funeral will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 11 a.m. in the Church. Interment will follow in the Cold Spring Cemetery, Lower Twp.
Born in Muskogee, OK, Betty was a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. She attended Syracuse University where she met her husband, the late Rev. Donald K. Theobald. As a minister’s wife, Betty and her family moved with frequency and graciously served many communities alongside of her husband before becoming a permanent resident of Cape May Point where she has resided for many years.
Betty was very proud of her Cherokee heritage and shared her traditions and culture with many adults and children, encouraging understanding of the rich gifts Native people bring to the world. While in Cape May Point, she and her husband founded The Bicycle Parade which she hosted for the past 44 years.
Betty is survived by four children, Sheryl Edwards and her husband, Richard; Donald K. Theobald, Jr. and his wife, Kate Davis; The Rt. Rev. Dr. Carol J. Gallagher and her husband, Mark; Betsy Richards and her husband; eight grandchildren, Lee, Emily, Ariel, Jonathan, Phoebe, Matthew, Cole and Annabel; three great grandchildren, Kyle, Claire and Lillian; two sisters and a brother.
Along with her late husband, Betty was also predeceased by her daughter, Margaret Anne “Pegi” Holt, and by a brother.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Sister Jean’s Kitchen, PO Box 5146, Atlantic City, NJ 08404-5146.
Bishop Gallagher is currently serving as the Bishop for Native American Ministries and Assistant Bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Montana. Condolences may be sent to her care of the Episcopal Diocese of Montana, P.O. Box 2020, Helena, MT 59624-2020 or via email at nativeministries@diomontana.com.
Lord, for your faithful people life is changed, not ended.
When the body of our earthly dwelling lies in death
we gain an everlasting dwelling place in heaven.
Lord, grant eternal rest, forever in the radiance of your light.
Amen.
