Betty Walker, August 30, 1925 – June 11, 2024. Katherine Elizabeth “Betty” (Caldwell) Walker, 98, of Marathon, Florida passed away peacefully in her home on June 11, 2024 at 11:11 a.m. wearing her signature pearl necklace and surrounded by her family.
Betty was born on August 30, 1925, in Iroquois, Ontario, Canada to Herbert and Eleanor (Fowles) Caldwell. She was a proud Canadian and remembered fondly her education at the Elmwood School in Ottawa, Ontario and many summers spent boating in and around the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River.
Betty met her forever love, James Cowan “Jim” Walker, in 1947. Betty and Jim were married in 1948 and spent 34 years together. They initially lived in Prescott, Ontario where they raised their 2 boys, Michael and Peter. The family moved to Rye, New York in 1956 and back to Prescott, Ontario in 1960. When Jim was named the President and CEO of apparel conglomerate Warnaco Inc in 1976, the couple moved to Greenwich, Connecticut. Jim passed away unexpectedly in 1983, however Betty’s love for and devotion to him never waned. If you had a conversation with her about “Jim Walker” even later in her life, she spoke of him as if they had been together the week before.
Betty was strong willed and independent, exemplified by her personal motto “Busy is best for Betty.” She enjoyed traveling, golf, tennis, photography, volunteering, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family and those she loved the most. She split her time between Marathon in the winters and Greenwich in the summers until 2012 when she moved permanently to Florida. She appreciated many Magical Marathon sunrises and sunsets, and enjoyed watching the beautiful boats that glided by her home.
Betty was a member of the Stanwich Club, in Greenwich, CT and the Florida Keys Country Club (formerly Sombrero Country Club) in Marathon, FL where she held the distinction of being the longest standing member. An avid sports enthusiast, Betty played tennis into her late 80s and golfed into her 90s. She also loved Broadway plays, and even in her 80s would take the train from Greenwich to attend matinees in New York City.
A consummate hostess, Betty loved having her family for Christmas in Marathon and did this for over 30 years. She would, however, also breath a sigh of relief once the decorations were tidied up, and her home returned to its serene post-celebration state.
Betty’s faith was an important part of her life. She was a beloved member of Saint Columba Episcopal Church in Marathon. She was a former member of Christ Church in Greenwich, and St. John Anglican Church in Prescott, Ontario.
Betty is survived by “her boys,” Michael James Walker of Fort Erie, Ontario and Geoffrey Peter Walker and his wife Nancy Jane (Thomson) of Farmington, CT. Her 4 grandchildren Geoffrey James Walker of San Francisco, CA; Jane Elizabeth (Walker) Farrington and her husband Chad of Boston, MA; Katherine Patricia (Walker) Cronin and her husband Brian of Boston, MA; Kristen Elizabeth (Walker) Baxter and her husband Matthew of Toronto, Ontario; and her 4 great-grandchildren Jackson Walker Farrington, Calvin Prescott Farrington, and Samuel Gordon Farrington all of Boston, MA; and Riley Elizabeth Walker of San Francisco, CA. She is also survived by her nieces and nephew; Cynthia, Kathryn, and Robert Caldwell.
Betty is predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Eleanor Caldwell; her husband, James Walker; her brother, Geoffrey Caldwell; and sister-in-law, Judith Caldwell. Celebrations for Betty’s “life well lived” will be held in Florida and Canada at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Columba Church, 451 52nd Street Gulf, Marathon, FL 33050.
