Mrs. Elizabeth Lane (Betty) Radcliffe, 83, of Frederick, Maryland passed away suddenly in her home on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Born in Frederick on August 24, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Charles Seth and Susan Gambrill Lane. On July 29, 1950, she was married to Albert Atlee Radcliffe who predeceased her five years ago to the day, also on May 8th. A graduate of Frederick High School, Betty attended Stratford College and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in History and Politics from American University in Washington, DC. She was a past member of The Garden Club of Frederick and the Episcopal Orphan House Scholarship Fund. Also, Betty served on the Altar and the Flower Guilds at All Saints Episcopal Church and was a member of The Historical Society of Frederick County. When her children were young, Betty was an active member of the Parkway Elementary, West Frederick Junior High, and Frederick High School PTAs. Betty enjoyed gardening and bird watching, was an avid reader of history and biographies, a big Redskins fan, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her family. Betty was a very gracious lady with a wicked sense of humor but a quiet wit. She loved to learn, she was intellectually curious, and she was open to and accepting of all people, ideas, and cultures, encouraging the same in others. Betty lived life to the fullest until her very last day. She is survived by 3 children, Helen Radcliffe Gregory and husband Ted, Albert Atlee (Lee) Radcliffe III and fiancé Gail Mann, and Andrew Lane Radcliffe and wife Cheryl; grandchildren, Elizabeth Lane Gregory Fields and husband Michael, Jane Brodie Gregory, Andrew Lane Radcliffe, Jr. and wife Amanda, Marilyn Radcliffe Marshall and husband Ben, and Caroline Anne Radcliffe and partner Rhett; great grandchildren, Justice Elizabeth Fields, Nia Anne Fields, Connor Lane Radcliffe, and Tenley Veronica Brown. Also, surviving are three sisters: Susan Lane McCardell of Hagerstown, Caroline Lane Utt of Frederick, and Antoinette Lane Barnard of Tucson, Arizona. She will also be remembered by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Charles Lane. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7pm, on Monday, May 13, 2013, at the Keeney & Basford P.A. Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 106 W. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Rev. Jessica Knowles and Rev. Barbara Kershner Daniel will officiate. Inurnment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be shared to the Community Foundation of Frederick Co., c/o the Atlee & Elizabeth Radcliffe Scholarship Fund, 312 E. Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701. Online condolences may be shared at www.keeneybasford.com. .
