| Betty Bow Miller Madson |
Betty Bow Miller Madson "Becky" died March 23, 2011. She was born
on August 27, 1921 to the prominent Public Health Service Surgeon, Dr.
Knox E. Miller and his beautiful wife, Noxie Bliss Miller Miller while the
family was stationed in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dr. Miller was raised in
Missouri and met his future wife (Becky's mother) in Kentucky. As a young
family, the Millers moved frequently supporting the needs of the Public
Health Service. This mobile lifestyle was relatively unusual for that era;
predating our super highways and in many cases even the luxury of paved
roads. Fortunately, their duty stations were typically located in city environs.
By the time Becky was ready for school, they had moved to Staten
Island, NY, where she started first grade. She graduated from Woodrow
Wilson High School in Washington, DC, in 1938. She returned to her
mother's home state for her college education. Becky attended the
University of Kentucky, Louisville, and was considered a BWOC (Big
Woman on Campus) as a Delta Delta Delta sorority sister involved in
numerous social and community activities. She graduated in 1944 and joined
her parents in Dallas, TX during the closing years of the war.
While living in Dallas she met Richard Oscar Madson, a young Navy
Lieutenant fresh from combat in the Pacific Theater who was attending
flight school in route to becoming a Naval Aviator. Richard and Becky
married on July 12, 1945 and embarked on a lifetime adventure as a Navy
family. They had three children along the way, Noxie Anne Madson Reese
and her husband Jim Reese currently living in Virginia Beach, VA, Richard
Oscar Madson, Jr. and his wife Sara George Madson in Suffolk, VA, and
Robert Christian Madson and his wife Natalie Ward Madson in Solomons,
MD.
Becky was very active raising her family and supporting the Navy and
her community. She had many notable achievements, as a navy wife, she
sponsored the first Enlisted Wives organization on the USS Independence in
1960-1961, which she felt was a privilege. She had three tours as the
"Skipper's" wife where she was very committed to supporting the young
wives in the Squadron/Ship Officer Wives Club, helping them to acclimate
to Navy life and deal with the long deployment separations.
Dick and Becky finally settled down in the greater Washington area for
their last three Navy tours and retirement. Becky was a founding member
and president of the McLean Hamlet Garden Club as well as a Charter
member and president of the McLean Hamlet Citizens Association. She
served as a board member on the National Capital Area Federation of
Garden Clubs. Becky served 25+ years as manager and volunteer
coordinator of the Navy Marine Coast Guard Retirement Facility Vinson
Hall Treasure Shop raising funds to support the facility recreational fund.
She served several years as a member of the Goodwill Industry's Board
and as their Embassy Tour Hostess Volunteer Coordinator for their annual
embassy tour fund raiser. In addition to her numerous philanthropic
activities she found time to re-enter the work force as a grant reviewer for
the NIH (National Institute of Health) and NIMH (National Institute of
Mental Health) organizations. In addition she was a science editor for
scientific reports and publications. Above all else, this amazing woman was
steadfast in her assertion that her biggest accomplishment was "raising three
children who married wonderful spouses, all of whom have been a credit to
me as contributing members to society." The epitome of a perfect Navy
wife and gracious loving mother of three, she will be greatly missed by her
children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations to a favorite charity are requested. Becky
Madson will be interred with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.
Condolences may be offered to the family at
www.hollomon-brown.com.
Published in The Washington Post on April 3, 2011