Obituary of Elizabeth G. Lampman

Elizabeth G. Lampman On 29 May 2011 Elizabeth G. Lampman died quietly at home. Not a quiet woman, a child of the Glenn Miller era, when Betsy danced the boogie boogie or the jitterbug with her husband, they cleared the floor. Born in Manila, Philippines, into a Navy family, she grew up moving from naval base to naval base. She had to give up playing touch football when with an enthusiastic, girlish tackle she broke the nose of one of her older brother's friends. WWII made her a widow at 20. She married again to Ensign William K. Lampman, USNA' 1947, the love of her life. A proud member of the "Greatest Generation," she supported the deployments into harm's way of her father, brother, brother-in-law, husband, nephew, and son (4 tours.) The family eventually settled in the Southern Tier where Dad followed a career in NYSEG and Magnetic Labs. Mom's creativity and energy manifested itself in a variety of activities. In her mid thirties, she completed her undergraduate education at Elmira College and subsequently taught art in the Elmira and Johnson City School Systems. She also became a licensed antique dealer. An engaged citizen, she played an active role in Roberson Memorial, Monday Afternoon Club, Binghamton Club, Antique Society and Lyceum. An avid student of the dance and sponsor of the Binghamton Ballet, at the lithe age of sixty, she began dancing in toe shoes, described in the trade as - "en pointe." She satisfied her need to roam by traveling to Australia, China, Equador, Peru, almost all of Western Europe - several times - and Egypt and Jordan. But Mom's most endearing attribute came from her capacity for ebullient friendship. Through any turbulent time, she attracted and held on to friends for decades, enriching all of us lucky to be included in her very wide circle. With a nineteen year old's ingenuous spirit always coming to the fore, Mom added energy to any gathering. This creative, engaging, and loving woman is survived by her husband, Bill Lampman, her son, Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs USA ret., two grandsons, William and Matt, and three great-grandchildren, Elena, James,and Thomas. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, 4 June, at the Coleman & Daniels Funeral Home, 300 East Main St., Endicott, NY. Interment will be at the family's convenience. Those wishing may make contributions in her memory to a charity of their choice.