A Tribute To Betsy Davidson

 Betsy Davidson Embodies the True Spirit of Lowell

Originally published in the Lowell Ledger

After collecting comments, stories, impressions, and anecdotes about a true gem in Lowell, it might be easy to assume that Betsy Davidson is more than human and is just visiting us from somewhere in the DC or Marvel universe of super heroes. However, we have checked all the records and have come to the conclusion that Betsy is indeed a member of the family of humans. She just happens to be a shining example of many of the best parts of what makes us human beings.

Betsy loved to "borrow" Tru and take him for boat rides.

Consider some of what helps the Community of Lowell really shine and you will find a list of non-profit organizations that are powered by volunteers who give of their time, talents, finances and other resources. Some of those organizations that come to find might include the Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce, Lowell Rotary Club, our Historical Museum, Relay for Life, the Lowell Community Fund and LARA – the Lowell Area Recreational Authority that has been working to connect hiking and biking trails in and around Lowell for over two decades. As someone told us, “If you look around our community, you will see traces of Betsy just about everywhere you go.”

Before we dive into the numerous ways that Betsy has served Lowell by applying her talent and time to the organizations listed above, how about we focus on the super powers she possessed that allowed her to jump into community involvement with both feet time and time again. If you inquire about Betsy as a person and friend, the descriptions that come back are filled with descriptors such as: caring, understanding, passion, enthusiasm, generosity, gentleness, helpful, and the word “kindness” led the pack. One person called Betsy “a glowing little firefly of kindness.” Another assured us that she would give you the shirt off her back. Still another credited her with being “the strongest woman I have ever known.” Several mentioned Betsy’s ability to search for and find the good in everyone she met. A close friend calls her “Bubble” for two reasons. First, because she has a bubbly personality, but also because she claims Betsy lives in a bubble in which she only sees the good in others. She has been compared to a Boy Scout in that she was always prepared.

This preparedness served her well when she traveled on a regular basis with a group of friends. The group would mix travel and fun with the task of visiting other small towns as scouts to see what they might be doing well that could be applied to Lowell. Betsy was The Navigator on these trips and she combined all the traveling technology available as the Road Tripping Girls hit the highways and back roads in search of fun, food, the occasional cocktail, and ghosts. Yes, haunted places and the possibility of ghosts were part of the agenda.  It was on one of these trips that her fellow travelers convinced her that she should seek medical help for the persistent back pain that was bothering her. It was then that the doctors discovered cancer. This was bittersweet for her friends. The sweetness came from the fact that they, and all of us, were given more years of Betsy than if she had continued to ignore the problem.

As the Official Navigator, Betsy would monitor the vehicles navigation system, a laptop, her smart phone, and old school paper maps of the areas in which they traveled.  Prepared indeed. She brought this same level of preparation and attention to detail to everything she became involved in.

Davidson started a business, Addorio Technologies, and from the moment she joined the Lowell Chamber in the year 2000, she was all in. She was a Chamber Ambassador for 15 years; served on the Board including years spent as Vice President and President; and anyone who attended Riverwalk or the Christmas events benefitted from Betsy having a hand in putting on those great events. She brought her all to every meeting, committee, and event. Her gentle push for making Lowell better resulted in Chamber events being huge draws – we have all seen the parking problems in town when the events happen. We can surely put some blame on Betsy Davidson for creating our parking problems at these times.

Speaking of Addorio, Betsy is the go-to person for many residents, businesses, and municipalities when it comes to needing help with the ever changing landscape of computer technology. One township official refers to Betsy as an Information Technology Genie because all you have to do is “wish” for something related to computers and poof – she makes it happen. It is very easy to collect stories from people in all walks of life around Lowell about how Addorio stepped in to save their bacon when it concerns their computers.

You might have interacted with Betsy and not even known it. She has manned the food booth for the Lowell Historical Museum for many, many of our popular Sizzlin’ Summer concerts. She also volunteered as a docent at the Museum. The Relay for Life felt her impact as a participant, volunteer, and Team Sponsor. 

Before we continue to laud Betsy’s volunteerism, it must be pointed out that not only does she work hard for so many of our local organizations, she was a most excellent recruiter for them as well. Proving the point that you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, Betsy would constantly persuade others to get involved in whatever project she was working on. One person put it this way: “If Betsy asked to help with something, you just couldn’t say ‘no’. If you did, she would talk you into helping without you realizing she was doing it. She would just give you that little nudge and that sweet smile of hers; there was no way you could say ‘no’.” Stealth recruiting was one of her strong points. Once you heed her call to help, you can rest assured she appreciates your time. Many people reported on how she always offers up encouragement to her fellow volunteers. She is known for the phrase: Thank you for all you do.

Betsy at  Pink Arrow.
Between Chase Anderson (L) and her niece Sophia (R)

You may or may not be aware that in addition to cancer, Betsy has Multiple Sclerosis. MS is a relentless wicked disease that attacks the protective covering of the nerves that run throughout our body and symptoms include loss of vision, coordination problems, pain, and fatigue. While many people faced with one or both of these health issues might become bitter and secluded, Betsy regards both cancer and MS as “challenges” and carries on. In typical fashion, she gave of herself to MS of Michigan. She organized the “MS Day at The Lake” event for ten years and received an award for raising $50,000 for MS in 2016. The next year she was recognized for being one of the Top Ten fundraisers in Michigan. All this while being a business owner, wife, and volunteer to other organizations mentioned here.

The Lowell Rotary club joins the chorus of those who have benefitted from Betsy’s involvement. Once again her she does not just show up to meetings. She has served on the Board and as President, Secretary, and Treasurer. She took a solo trip to Ethiopia and worked with Rotarians there. Betsy worked on the Neighbor to Neighbor program put on by Rotary and Flat River Outreach Ministries and once was the Chairperson of the Michigan Rotary Convention.

When it is completed, the LARA Trail System that runs around and through Lowell will be a part of one of the largest trail systems in the country. The LARA Board hopes to have all the parts connected in the next couple years. The trails are the result of the hard work of volunteers since 1999. Betsy was one of the first to answer the call from Bert Bleke for help in bringing this multi-million dollar project from concept to reality. Over the 23 years of her involvement “she has done everything there is to do with the trails including clean up, working on the Board, and fundraising. If it had to be done, she has probably done it at some point.” 

A fellow LARA Board member has 7,368 emails about the Trails that somehow involve Betsy. He said, “Her DNA, heart and soul are in every square inch of the trail system that we all enjoy.”

It should come as no surprise that her fellow LARA Board members have taken steps to honor Betsy and to insure that users of the Trails will know of her involvement in creating them. To that end there is a bench being crafted that will be inscribed: “In honor of Betsy Davidson for the decades of service to the trails and community.” 

The second step will be the naming of the soon to be completed section of the Trail that will go from Foreman Road to the upcoming river crossing at Recreation Park (aka “The Fairgrounds”). It will be designated “The Betsy Davidson Trail Section”. In anticipation of her expected humble response that she should not get any special recognition, one of the Board members hand wrote her a letter about the planned bench and trail name including these words in all caps: “SORRY, IT IS A DONE DEAL.”

We want to close with more words from people who work with and are friends with Betsy and who answered our call to express their love and appreciation to her. “Every community needs a Betsy. Every successful project needs a Betsy. Every person needs a Betsy in their life. If we all remember to share just a fraction of the goodwill we have all experience from Betsy, the world will be a much better place.” “Betsy has always been the brightest light in the room, always with such a beautiful smile. Always so very willing to assist and lend a hand to any project. If you look around our community, you will see traces of Betsy just about everywhere you go. Her gentle demeanor works magic, and she will leave her imprint here forever.”

We can only hope these collected words will reflect back to Betsy a portion of the love and attention she has poured into Lowell. We would like to use Betsy’s own words to close: “Thank you for all you do.”