Elizabeth Ann (Cole) Hagemeyer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and remarkable accomplishments. Elizabeth was born on September 12, 1930, in Quincy, Massachusetts, to parents Edwin Cole and Emma (Hilton) Cole. “Betty”—as she was better known—moved with her family to Wilmington, Vermont, during the Great Depression, where she entered second grade and excelled academically and athletically.

A star student, Betty lettered in basketball, field hockey, and band; served as editor of the school magazine The Mirror; and graduated as valedictorian in 1948. She earned a scholarship to the University of Vermont in Burlington, majoring in English, history, and Latin, and graduated cum laude in 1952 as a Phi Beta Kappa member and president of her Delta Delta Delta sorority.

In Washington, D.C., she worked at the National Academy of Sciences before marrying J. Lyndal Hagemeyer in 1955 after meeting him on a blind date. They were married in Wilmington, Vermont and then settled in Toledo, Ohio. There, she and Lyndal raised their four cherished children: Bret (Becky), Joel, Gwen (Hal), and Derek (Susan).  She spent her early career in administration at Riverside Hospital (1955–1961) before dedicating herself to her family as a homemaker until the children were in high school and beyond. In 1979, she began working at the Toledo Lucas County Law Library, retiring in 1991.

Betty remained active in retirement, enjoying 25 years with Lyndal in Lakeside, Ohio, which included membership at the Noonday Club, and served as president. She graciously hosted and insisted on feeding all the family and friends visiting Lakeside over those decades, to our eternal gratitude.

Preceded in death by her husband of 65 years in February 2020, Betty is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She loved deeply and was loved deeply in return, a blessing to all who knew her gentle spirit and unwavering warmth.  Though we mourn her absence (and her cookies!), we celebrate the light and love she brought to our lives.  She is with the Lord and reunited with Lyndal, as was her greatest wish.

As per Betty’s wishes, there will be no receiving of friends or public service. Her family will gather privately to celebrate her life. The family is requesting that instead of sending flowers, please consider your contribution to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.neideckercrosserpriesman.com.