Elizabeth Copeland Colby

October 9, 1928 - December 30, 2020

Elizabeth “Betty” Copeland Colby, age 92, of Washington, Iowa, passed away suddenly Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at home following a battle with follicular lymphoma. Celebration of life services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021 at the United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Kitch Shatzer officiating. Services will be livestreamed on the Jones & Eden Funeral Home Facebook page, the United Presbyterian Church Facebook page and the church website, www.upcwash.org. A private interment will be held at Elm Grove Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for PAWS & More Animal Shelter and the United Presbyterian Home. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Betty’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com Betty was born October 9, 1928, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Ralph Leonard and Marjorie (Kaye) Doran. She attended school in Oak Park, Illinois, and graduated from Oak Park High School. Betty was united in marriage to Richard Reader Colby on March 7, 1953, in Oak Park, Illinois. Betty has lived in Washington, Iowa, since 1965. She served as the Activity Coordinator at the Washington Care Center for 17 years, retiring in 1990. She was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder and a Deacon. Betty was President of the local United Presbyterian Women, served as Moderator of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and was a leader of Stephen Ministry. She was Past President of the Lending Hands Board of Directors, Community Chest and Senior Citizen Council. Betty was a member of PEO Chapter J where she was a Past President. She was a member of the Iowa Association of Activity Coordinators. Betty was a devoted mother and doting grandmother who loved spending time with her family and friends. She was always content with a cat curled up and purring in her lap. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, particularly baby clothes and baby blankets, which she labored over with love and bestowed as gifts to friends with newborns. And she enjoyed putting together jigsaw puzzles. Her homemade caramels were savored by family and friends every Christmas for more than 50 years. Betty is survived by her husband of 67 years, Richard Colby of Washington, IA; daughter, Ann Haden and husband Murray of Birmingham, AL; daughter, Gail Granneman and husband Gary of Ottumwa, IA; son, Ed Colby and wife Brink of Washington, IA; nine grandchildren (Isaac Baldrige, Angela Baldrige Thompson & Joe Baldrige; Tyler & Kelsey Granneman; Colby, Andrew & Michael Haden; and Keegan Colby); two great-grandchildren (Julius & Myles Thompson); son-in-law, Matt Baldrige and wife Jeri of Columbus Junction, IA; and one sister, Jean Wells of Washington, Iowa. Betty was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, James Arthur Doran. To view the livesteam, please visit the Jones & Eden Funeral Home Facebook page using the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Jones-Eden-Funeral-Home-119957608060665/ The video will appear at the start of the service.