Obituary for Elizabeth Urso (Dixon)
Elizabeth Dixon Urso passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at The Westerly Hospital.
Bette was born in Washington, DC to Thomas and Clara Dixon. She had an idyllic childhood, exploring the city of Washington and traveling to and from school on street cars. She began a lifelong love of reading and learning as a child, visiting her local library every Saturday, where she would read a week’s worth of books while she was there and then take another week’s worth of books home with her. Her love of reading and exceptional memory enabled her to become an expert in many fields.
Bette met her best friend and love of her life, Nat Urso, while he was a law student at Georgetown University. They shared many adventures throughout their years together. She held an impressive series of jobs in several departments in the U.S. Capitol, which included working for the Architect of the Capitol, and for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. She later helped form the National Association of Public Accountants.
She and Nat married in 1954 and moved to Westerly, RI to start their family. During that time, Nat and Bette bought WERI, the local radio station. Bette rolled up her sleeves and went to work setting up the business, while at the same time raising her children. She took an interest in flying, and was the first female to solo a small plane at the Westerly Airport.
Bette was an adventurer and traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. She and Nat enjoyed many road trips throughout the country with family and friends in their motor home.
Bette was an accomplished artist. She created exquisite pottery, paintings, needlepoint, jewelry and hand sewn garments. She was generous with her work and many friends will forever cherish her gifts. Her natural grace and sense of style were complimented by her magical sense of humor. Bette had a love for decorating and brought to life many warm, wonderful homes over the years. She was a talented cook and loved to nourish her family and friends.
Her most notable gift was her selfless nature, her sincere interest in every person she met and her innate kindness. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Throughout her illness, Bette fought for every hour and every memory with her family, who in turn cherished every moment with her.
Bette was predeceased by her parents, her sisters, Dorothy Evans and Helen Beck, and her grandson, Louis Capaldi. She leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Natale L. Urso, her children, Linda Urso, Juliet Rice (Peter), and Mark Urso all of Westerly and Philip Urso (Renee) of Jamestown, 8 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com
Bette was born in Washington, DC to Thomas and Clara Dixon. She had an idyllic childhood, exploring the city of Washington and traveling to and from school on street cars. She began a lifelong love of reading and learning as a child, visiting her local library every Saturday, where she would read a week’s worth of books while she was there and then take another week’s worth of books home with her. Her love of reading and exceptional memory enabled her to become an expert in many fields.
Bette met her best friend and love of her life, Nat Urso, while he was a law student at Georgetown University. They shared many adventures throughout their years together. She held an impressive series of jobs in several departments in the U.S. Capitol, which included working for the Architect of the Capitol, and for the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. She later helped form the National Association of Public Accountants.
She and Nat married in 1954 and moved to Westerly, RI to start their family. During that time, Nat and Bette bought WERI, the local radio station. Bette rolled up her sleeves and went to work setting up the business, while at the same time raising her children. She took an interest in flying, and was the first female to solo a small plane at the Westerly Airport.
Bette was an adventurer and traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad. She and Nat enjoyed many road trips throughout the country with family and friends in their motor home.
Bette was an accomplished artist. She created exquisite pottery, paintings, needlepoint, jewelry and hand sewn garments. She was generous with her work and many friends will forever cherish her gifts. Her natural grace and sense of style were complimented by her magical sense of humor. Bette had a love for decorating and brought to life many warm, wonderful homes over the years. She was a talented cook and loved to nourish her family and friends.
Her most notable gift was her selfless nature, her sincere interest in every person she met and her innate kindness. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Throughout her illness, Bette fought for every hour and every memory with her family, who in turn cherished every moment with her.
Bette was predeceased by her parents, her sisters, Dorothy Evans and Helen Beck, and her grandson, Louis Capaldi. She leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Natale L. Urso, her children, Linda Urso, Juliet Rice (Peter), and Mark Urso all of Westerly and Philip Urso (Renee) of Jamestown, 8 grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in care of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com