Elizabeth (Betsy) Scott Poinsett (nee Ross), 73, of Newtown, Pa, and formerly of Allentown, N.J., passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2015, at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse, Philadelphia, Pa.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Betsy lived in the Midwest until settling with her family in Trenton, N.J., in 1953. She graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1961. After her wedding in 1963 to Jacques (Jack) M. Poinsett, they moved from Bordentown to Allentown, N.J., in 1973, where Betsy developed her passion for American history, antiques and Newfoundland dogs.

Betsy was an enthusiastic participant in political and community affairs in and around Allentown, where she voted her allegiance to the Republican Party. She was a long time member and chaired the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society and the Regional Crosswicks Creek-Doctors Creek Watershed Association, was a member of the Monmouth County Historical Commission, a founding member of the Old Yellow Meeting House in Upper Freehold, chairwoman of the Allentown Borough Historic Preservation Review Commission, and spent much time as a working supporter of Heritage Park. Among her numerous accomplishments, Betsy spearheaded the clean-up of the Allentown Mill Pond (Conine's Pond), and saw the creation of the lakeside park to its completion, succeeded in having Allentown listed as a historic district on the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Sites, persuaded a local bank to fund a comprehensive historic survey of homes that resulted in many historically dated plaques being presented to many homes in town, and led an effort to renovate and reuse the old Baptist Church on Main Street for the Allentown Public Library. She was a proud owner of two historic homes on Main Street, the Borden House at 76 N. Main St., and later the Captain John Rogers House at 41 S. Main St.

It was love at first sight when Betsy saw her first Newfoundland dog. Owning as many as five at one time, Betsy showed her dogs regionally and nationally at American Kennel Club shows, and thereafter kept Newfies as her beloved pets. Betsy held long-term positions with numerous Mercer County employers, including Rednor and Ranier Auto Dealership, the law firm Sterns, Herbert & Weinroth, Steven Goldsmith, MD, and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, from which she retired in 2009. Betsy was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Trenton and, later, the Allentown Presbyterian Church.


Wife of the late Jacques M. Poinsett and daughter of the late Walter Ross and Pauline Scott Ross, Ms. Poinsett is survived by her sister, Kathleen Edwards; nephew Jeffrey Edwards and his partner Patricia Kelly Surrick of Philadelphia, Pa.; two nieces, Judith Edwards Kudman and her husband Warren Kudman of New Providence, N.J.; Jill Edwards Cifelli and her husband Thomas Cifelli of Burlington, N.J., grandnephews Zachary, Samuel and Noah Kudman, and Thomas Jr. and Joseph Cifelli; and sister-in-law Celeste Poinsett.

Relatives and friends may call on Saturday, February 28, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Peppler Funeral Home, 114 South Main St., Allentown, NJ. A memorial service will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Jeff Vamos of the Presbyterian Church of Lawrenceville will officiate. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Elizabeth Poinsett's memory to the Allentown Village Initiative, c/o Martha Ploshay, 106 South Main St., Allentown, N.J., 08501; Friends of Old Yellow Meeting House, PO Box 23, Cream Ridge, N.J. 08514; or New-Pen-Del Newfoundland Club Rescue, http://www.newpendelnewfclub.com/rescue.htm. For directions, to send a condolence or other information, please consult the website of Peppler Funeral Home, www.pepplerfh.com.