Article written by Karen Lyddane
The daughter of a Greek father named Andrew and American mother, Isabelle, Betty Marshall looks to her religious upbringing for giving her a full, rich life. Her parents met when Andrew came to America on business, and Isabelle went to work for him. Four years later, Andrew wanted to go back to Cyprus to see his family. He asked if she would run the business while he was gone, as she was so competent. Isabelle asked how long he would be away, Andrew told her, and her reply was that she didn’t want to do that. He pleaded, she stood firm and finally said: “I want to go with you!” Andrew replied that they couldn’t go together as they weren’t married, she said that they could be, so that’s what they did! They went to Cyprus and Betty was born there. The new family returned to the United States when she was just six months old.
Married life began one night when the brother of her best friend Virginia called and asked if a group of guys could come over. Virginia’s brother, Charles McLean Marshall, came along. All the girls pranced out, Charles elbowed his friend and said: “That one on the left, she’s mine!” and that was that! At that time, he was in the Engineering program at North Carolina State. Betty and his sister were at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
When Betty graduated from college, Charles, a 2nd Lieutenant, decided that he wanted a military career. He was stationed at Fairbanks, Alaska, and came back to marry her. They drove all the way back to Alaska on their so-called honeymoon. Somehow, they managed to find sleeping quarters every night. To this day, Betty can’t explain how this was possible, because traveling in Alaska then was quite primitive. The journey took nine days.
Years passed, and military life sent the family to three continents. Their three-year time in Greece allowed them to visit all of the Greek Islands, with Corfu being the favorite. Its beauty was unmatched! They welcomed their son Randy into their family one fine day in Greece. Their home for the next three years was in the lovely Paris, France. They saw all that France had to offer and had time to visit many other countries in Europe. The family learned to ski while on a trip with the American Church in Paris. Much of America was visited, too!
Now a Colonel, Charles was in two foreign wars, but with God’s hand, returned home sound in body and mind after his 30-year service. When the storms came, Betty dismissed them and instead learned to dance in the rain. She’s had an amazing journey!
A favorite hobby turned into a career for Betty. She learned the art of floral arranging from a lady at the Fairfax Presbyterian Church. One day, she was asked to make wedding flowers. Thinking that they were just for the altar and wedding couple, she said: “Why not?” Well, she quickly found out that there was much, much more, including making and placing the pew bows! She remembers picking up the phone and calling her teacher, who gave her a lightning-quick tutorial, barely in time for the perfect delivery of beautiful flowers for a couple’s special day. Her time with wedding flowers ended after 13 years. Today, Betty continues to teach others this specialized skill.
Betty’s background in music started with piano lessons, which her mother insisted that she keep up. Good thing that she did! For, when she was considering her classes in college, Betty asked herself what she was good at. She majored in piano, minored in voice (a high soprano), and organ. She taught piano for 30 years. You’ll see a lovely baby grand piano that is kept perfectly tuned in her apartment, should you visit her.
Impressions of retirement? “You will never retire. You will pick up new hobbies, new friends.” She has time for her interests and doesn’t have to choose so carefully between them. Betty will soon fulfill her dream of seeing Niagara Falls, and Canada, which are trips arranged through The Woodlands. Her independent lifestyle frees her up to make new friends to love, which is the biggest benefit of all. Also, she doesn’t have to scrub floors anymore!
