Betty Brown Ducklow

Betty Ducklow, writer, journalist, and a great friend to many, passed away Saturday, July 15, due to complications from Alzheimer¹s disease. She was 86 years old. Betty had been a lifelong resident of Appleton, and never lived more than two blocks from the City Park (which she claimed was HER park). A graduate of Appleton High School in 1938 and Lawrence College in 1942, Betty began her career as a writer at the Appleton Post Crescent where she covered boxing matches in Kaukauna and a young Joe McCarthy. She later worked at WHBY becoming the station¹s first female news director. Together with her husband, Robert, she started the family business, Ducklow Communications, in 1965, where she worked in public relations and business writing. Betty's light and humorous writing style matched her personality. She wrote many entertaining stories for the Post Crescent as “The Little Old Lady in White Tennis Shoes”.

Betty was always one to give of herself to the community. She believed that we were put on Earth to make it a better place for others. Among the many concerns she helped over the years include the Red Feather Organization, the First United Methodist Church, Wednesday Review Book Club, Charity Circle of Kings Daughters, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, Rawhide Boys Ranch, Lawrence University (recipient of the Gertrude B. Jupp Outstanding Service Award), the Rotary Club of Appleton (where she was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship), the Fox Valley Symphony, the Appleton Gallery of Arts, the Outagamie Chapter of the American Red Cross, Theatrix Children¬πs Theater and Leaven and the Ring Dance Committee.

Betty’s love of music was evident to everyone in the Valley. From her days of being in the chorus at Lawrence, to playing the triangle as a lark for the Fox Valley Symphony, to her enthusiastic support of the Symphony from her usual spot in the front row of the Chapel, Betty enjoyed every note.

Betty will probably most be remembered for her love of having a good time with all her friends and family. There was nothing she enjoyed more than throwing a good party, and Betty could throw the best! Her annual Christmas parties were the highlight of the season. Betty's bubbly personality and wonderful sense of humor made her loved by everyone who met her.

Betty is survived by her daughter Perri, and son, Peter; two grandchildren Norman Cyman (Vicki) and Christopher Cyman; two nephews Hugh and Tom; a niece, Nan; and a cousin Pat Pottratz. Her husband Robert preceded her in death.

A memorial service for Betty will be held at 7:00 PM on Friday, July 21, 2006 at the funeral home chapel. Friends may gather to visit and share memories of Betty at the funeral home on Friday from 4:00 PM until the hour of the memorial service. A memorial fund in Betty’s name is being established to benefit Lawrence University.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Colony Oaks Care Center, especially those in the Special Care Unit, who made Mom’s last days very happy and comfortable.

WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231