Elizabeth Sheridan Todd's Obituary
Betty Todd had a glorious reunion with her husband, son, and sisters on March 10. Her close friend, Shirley Emrick and Shirley's daughter Sharon were by her side when she took her last breath at the age of 97. Her beloved husband passed away when Betty was 40. Her son, Tommy, and her sisters Dot and Margery predeceased her. She always had a smile on her face, and always had a positive attitude. She leaves behind her son, Jim, her daughter, Lori, and her grandchildren Christian and Erin.
Betty was the first born child of a stockbroker and his wife. The family moved to Boston when Betty was a toddler, and had two more children. They lived in Brookline, Massachusetts until the stock market crashed when Betty was 11. Her father found a job at General Refractories in Baltimore, where they moved.
Betty graduated from Eastern High School in 1936. She met her husband Tom at the local pool, where he was a lifeguard. He was a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law. He established a business as a private investigator. In 1951, they purchased their first home in the Cypress Creek neighborhood of Severna Park. Tom's father and mother used to take them by steamboat to Chesapeake Beach, which was a resort in Southern Maryland. Later, Betty and Tom and the children took frequent trips to Ocean City and other places in the Mid-Atlantic. When Tom was 44 years old, he died suddenly when his aorta burst. Betty started working at Earle's Moving and Storage, then later as a school secretary at Arnold Elementary School for more than twenty years. Her family started including Betty and the children on long car trips, eventually traveling to 48 states, Canada, and Mexico.
She was heavily involved in her children's lives. When her son Tommy joined the Wresting Team, she participated with the Falcon Field Frolics at Severna Park High School. In 1960, Betty's beloved son, Tommy, died while working on a drydocked boat. He was 16. Betty kept working at Arnold School, and spent summers in Ocean City with her extended family. She served as an Assistant Girl Scout Leader with her daughter Lori's troop in Severna Park. In 1969, her son Jim, enlisted in the U.S. Navy. She joined the Navy Mothers' Club to show her support for the military. In 1970, she became the Commander of Glen Burnie Chapter.
After Betty retired, she volunteered, first at Arnold Elementary for thirteen years, then at Wee Lad & Lassie, then finally at Partners in Care. She participated in a walking class at Anne Arundel Community College. She was a frequent volunteer at American Legion Post 175 in Manhattan Beach. When she could no longer care for herself, she moved from Manhattan Beach to Atria Manresa, then to the Annapolitan, both in Annapolis. Her final home was Cranberry Cottage III in Pasadena, where she was extremely well cared for and surrounded by friends until the end of her days.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at 11am at Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care 814 Bestgate Rd. Annapolis, MD 21401, with food and fellowship to follow.
A committal ceremony will be held at Moreland Cemetery Chapel1601 Taylor Ave, Baltimore, MD 21234 at 11am on March 23, 2016.
To committal ceremony attendees: There will not be a priest or formal service at the cemetery on Wednesday. Please be prepared to share something about Betty:
• Your feelings about her
• A nice story or moving moment
• How she changed your life
• A prayer or psalm
The interment will take place at the graveside, which is a short distance from the chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please take an elderly friend to lunch If you have time, please take them on a trip to the beach. Betty would like that.
What’s your fondest memory of Elizabeth?
What’s a lesson you learned from Elizabeth?
Share a story where Elizabeth's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Elizabeth you’ll never forget.
How did Elizabeth make you smile?