Betsey Leeds Puth

Betsey Leeds Puth (née Tait) passed away peacefully at her home in Hobe Sound, Florida on June 3, 2024 at the age of 94. The beloved daughter of Colin Frasier Tait and Elizabeth Warrick Tait, Betsey was born in the Quaker town of Rancocas, NJ. A diligent student and lover of the outdoors, Betsey grew up accompanying her father on regular fishing trips to Loveladies on Long Beach Island, NJ. Betsey graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA in 1951. While there, she met the love of her life and future husband of 71 years, John Puth, a student at nearby Lehigh University. John’s successful career prompted several relocations as they raised their family of three children, including several years in Westport, CT and Pittsburgh PA, before they settled in Winnetka, IL. In each new town, Betsey’s warmth, energy, and generosity of spirit ensured that they quickly made friends and engaged with the community. She imparted her enthusiasm for nature, art, literature, and humanity to her family and her friends. In Winnetka, Betsey was a dedicated volunteer with several organizations, including the Garden Guild; the Hadley School for the Blind, where she served as President of the Women’s Board and as President of the Board of Trustees; Town and Country Arts Club; the Fortnightly Club of Chicago; the Music Institute of Chicago, where she started the Patrons Society; and the Art Institute of Chicago. Betsey served as a docent for decades, first at the Terra Museum and then at the Art Institute. Betsey also served as a deeply engaged trustee on the board of her alma mater and, in 2012, was awarded the Medallion of Merit by the Moravian Alumni Association for her outstanding service to the institution. Betsey and John were active members of Kenilworth Union Church. They were also active members of the Indian Hill Club in Winnetka, where Betsey regularly played tennis and paddle. Betsey’s love of the ocean at Long Beach Island brought the family to “the Shore” each summer, and the homes that she and John rented and ultimately built in Loveladies served as a favorite summer gathering spot for their children and grandchildren for over 40 years. She adored long days at the beach with family, watching the birds and the sunset from the upper deck during cocktails, and conversation at the table over leisurely dinners. Betsey and John traveled around the globe with their extensive network of friends, including a series of annual bike trips in Europe over the course of 17 years. A prolific photographer, Betsey was famous for the carefully annotated photo albums that she compiled after each summer and each trip. Betsey and John discovered the community of Loblolly in Hobe Sound, FL in the late 1980’s, thanks to several Winnetka friends, and built their home there in 1994. It quickly became a winter magnet for their growing family of children, respective spouses and grandchildren. Betsey involved herself in the Loblolly Book Club, the Civil Conversations group, and the Loblolly Community Foundation. As much as Betsey loved and doted on her family, she was also an extraordinarily caring and loyal friend to many who were touched by her generosity, warmth, and sincere curiosity about their own lives and families. The number of thoughtful notes Betsey wrote to others to celebrate, console, or simply say “hello” are too many to count.

Betsey is predeceased by husband John Puth, daughter Alison Puth, and brother William Tait. She is survived by her sons and their wives, David (Leslie) Puth and Jonathan (Mira Courpas) Puth, her grandchildren, Aydan Acebes, Colin Puth, Kira Kramer, Asher Puth, and Annika Puth, and two great-granddaughters, Wilder and Wren Acebes. A private interment and memorial service will be held in the fall at Kenilworth Union Church, Kenilworth, IL. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent in her memory to the Kenilworth Union Church.