Coral "Betsy" Elizabeth McPeak

Coral Elizabeth “Betsy” McPeak, age 78, passed away surrounded by her family and their love on January 23, 2023. Betsy was born on August 28, 1944, to Henry and Coral (Weymouth) Carr in Alamogordo, NM, she was the oldest of two daughters born to the couple. In her early childhood, the little family made the move from New Mexico to Brevard, North Carolina where Betsy would spend the majority of her formative years.  Following high school she attended business school in North Carolina, then moved to Atlanta for a time. 

 

She then traveled to Portland, OR where she was blessed to have her two children Christie and Scott. When her children were still in diapers, Betsy moved to Appleton, WI where she raised her family minus a short stint in Gerrards Cross, UK. Upon her return to Appleton, she met and married the love of her life Ercel McPeak, and her true living of life began. The couple spent time traveling the world, attending Packer home games, snowmobiling, skiing, all manner of water sports, curling, golfing, camping and ballroom dancing…the list goes on!  

 

Betsy was a kid at heart and proudly displayed this with her grandchildren. She was known to swim with them, plan parties with and for them, and always played each and every game with them, even when it meant she had to crawl around the floor with them. Don’t take that to mean that she ignored her own children!  She was at every game, concert, recital that they had growing up!

 

Betsy was passionate about animals, especially the furbabies that bark and the wild birds outside. She always had bird feeders, and there was always a dog in the house. Betsy enjoyed Las Vegas and was a somewhat frequent attender of both Tom Jones and Elvis Presley concerts!

 

An accomplished golfer Betsy won a state amateur tournament at Black Wolf Golf Course which qualified her to travel to Orlando Florida for a national championship. Her other lifetime accomplishments include high scoring basketball star, incredible keyboardist/pianist, member of the women’s international bowling congress, and she was a fantastic artist with all types of paints. Her family will proudly display her paintings for years to come in their homes, and as an aside, they didn’t even know she bowled!

 

Betsy taught herself the art of creating stained glass, woodburning, counted cross stitch and cement art. Truly, an artist at heart, Betsy enjoyed all manner of textile arts as well.

 

Betsy is survived by her daughter Christie (Wendel) Jack and son Scott (Kristin) Orwig, and her six grandchildren: Luke, Ben, John, Olivia, Sophia and Maddie. She is further survived by her sister Deborah (Ed) Bryant, her nieces: Heather and Beverly and her great nieces and nephews: Emery, Owen, Oliver, Evelyn and Malcolm. Dear friend Gail will miss her daily chats with Betsy, drinking old fashions and eating enchiladas and her zest for life. Betsy’s “Honey-dog” Honey will miss the daily scratches under her chin and bedtime snuggles.

 

She is preceded in passing by her beloved Ercel who has been waiting for her for nearly 19 years, her parents, and dear friends Doris, Violet and Edwina.

 

Look to the mountains for inspiration, or the seas on each coast, Betsy was inspired by these things and their grandeur. Celebrate her as you watch a sunrise, as you watch the sun reflecting off the water or the snowflakes falling from the sky.

 

Mom and Grandma: you are the strongest person we know, who could always put a smile on our faces. You didn't let cancer get you without a fight. We're so proud to be the family you left behind.

 

A private celebration of life will be held in the future.

 

Please consider a donation in Betsy's name to a local animal shelter.