Obituary Betty Crowley – 15th December 2004

Betty’s untimely death on 15^th of December 2004 has left all those who knew her shocked and deeply saddened. In the last eight months of her life she bore her illness with equanimity and deep courage despite her ongoing suffering. She was an inspiration to hospital staff, doctors and nurses alike, so many of whom became deeply fond of her. Never short of a word, she dispensed her wisdom with a quickness of tongue that often had the hospital staff do a double take.

Betty had two professions, both teaching and psychotherapy. She worked in a school in the inner city and had the magic touch with children, instinctively knowing how to reach them, motivate them and inspire them.Their loyalty to her was unquestionable, her’s was the most guarded car in Dublin! Betty trained as a psychotherapist in the early nineties and maintained a private practice for ten years. She was a wise and creative practioner deeply committed to the belief that each person finds their own unique way. Theory always bowed to the quirky, the unimaginable, the unexpected possibilities. She questioned the road maps frequently challenging assumptions and creating lively debate!  Her dedication to, and care for, her clients was deep and sincere. They will feel her loss greatly, especially since she fully expected to return to work after a brief period in hospital, and didn’t get to say goodbye.

First and foremost a Kerry woman Betty exuded the spirituality, wit and wry irreverence that define that part of the world. All of us who knew her were caught time and time again by her practical jokes, some of them mastered with a precision that could leave NASA standing! A born mimic and story teller she entertained us again and again at dinner parties. Never mind that the carrots were never cooked, or the sauce put on the starter… stories were more important. She was an immensely generous friend, always available when needed and loyal to the last. She brought a special magic to celebrations that was uniquely her.

Betty is greatly missed by her family, her wide circle of friends, her colleagues at Avalon Psychotherapy Practice, her colleagues at St. Mary’s and City Quay National Schools, her pupils and her clients. Betty died in the prime of her life long before it was timely. If we could weave an acre of silk and in it gather all the memories she ever gave us, we would have goodness of heart to last us the rest of our lives. That is what she would have wanted.

Deirdre Mannion Carr maintained a psychotherapy practice in Dublin for 15 years, and was a co-founder of Avalon Psychotherapy Practice in Monkstown, Co. Dublin. She has recently moved to Scotland.