Elizabeth "Betsy" Early

Elizabeth “Betsy” Early, of Hinsdale, IL died peacefully on August 10, 2025, at Plymouth Place in La Grange Park, IL. Born in West Palm Beach, FL on November 14, 1927, the elder of two children, she was raised by her parents Thelma L. Jamison and George C. Henry in Huntington, WV. She was the salutatorian of her Huntington High School class and graduated from Marshall University.  

  Married in June 1950, she and her husband Bert moved to Hinsdale, IL in 1962 where they built a wonderful life and raised their five sons. She was a Life Trustee of Chicago Child Care Society after serving multiple terms as president. She was a member of Union Church of Hinsdale and the Junior Leagues’ of Chicago and Huntington, WV.  

  Her husband, Bert, was the Executive Director of the American Bar Association (ABA) and she was his consummate partner. They traveled the world together with the ABA, International Bar Association and friends visiting over forty countries. Nevertheless, her favorite places remained Hinsdale, Longboat Key, FL where she shared the beach with her children and grandchildren and The Greenbrier.  

Betsy was a wonderful host and chef. She reveled in planning and cooking dinners for friends and business associates, including memorable holiday gatherings with extended family. She orchestrated over-the-top outings to Ravinia Music Festival with her signature picnic faire, flowers, linens, candelabra, and the ten-foot-tall fish flag. Just as important, Betsy and Bert were always willing to help, opening their home to displaced church members, and lost souls.  

She was known as “Mama” to her adoring grandchildren. She spent countless hours reading books, playing games, and building sandcastles with them during visits in Hinsdale and Longboat Key. She embraced every moment with great enthusiasm and high energy whether it was collecting seashells, conducting visits to Chicago museums, or creating her magical “fairy tree.”  

Betsy was preceded in death by her husband Bert and son Peter. Four sons survive her:  Hylton Early (Deborah) of Jacksonville, FL; Robert Early (Barbara) of Hinsdale; Mark Early (Tina) of Dallas, TX; and Philip Early of Clarendon Hills, IL. In addition to her children, Betsy is survived by five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, plus cherished nieces and nephews.  

The family would like to thank the staff of Plymouth Place Senior Living for the care, friendship and love they provided Elizabeth over the past six years.  

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 25th at Plymouth Place, 315 N. La Grange Rd., La Grange Park, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Union Church of Hinsdale, 137 South Garfield Ave, Hinsdale, IL 60521; Plymouth Place Senior Living, 315 N. La Grange Road, La Grange Park, IL 60526; or to a charity of your choice.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Elizabeth "Betsy" Early, please visit our floral store.