Betsy (nee Gershkovitz) Ackerman, age 80, of Wooster, Ohio passed away due to a courageous battle with heart and kidney failure on September 24, 2023.
Betsy was born in 1942 in Cincinnati, Ohio the daughter of Alex and Pearl (nee Skurow) Gershkovitz. She was married to the love of her life, Donald L. Ackerman, for 57 years. He survives.
Betsy was a graduate of Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Hearing and Speech Therapy at Ohio State University. She started as a speech therapist for Wooster City Schools and continued with the Wayne/Medina Head Start. Later in her career she registered clients at People to People of Wooster. Betsy’s passion and dedication in helping others inspired many to carry on her legacy. Betsy was involved in her community donating many hours of service to the Junior Women’s Club, Knesseth Israel Temple Sisterhood, golf and bowling leagues, as well as, her volunteerism with other community organizations. She was one to be the first to reach out a lending hand to all who needed assistance. Betsy enjoyed shopping, gardening, golfing, getting together with her Lunch Bunch, and had a knack for the ‘gift of gab’. She was her family’s historian and ensured all were in the know.
Betsy’s greatest joy was spending time with family and friends. She will be greatly missed by her husband Don, children Cari (Chris) Van Pelt of Cincinnati, OH, Michael (Beckie) Ackerman, grandsons Joshua and Benjamin of Brecksville, OH, brother-in-law Phillip Schwartz, nephews Ethan (Shawnda) Schwartz, Robb (Bea) Schwartz and great-nephew Kurt Schwartz, adopted children Chris and Allison Green and grandchildren Jensen (Mollie) Green, Madalyn (Zach) Vaughn and Alayna Green.
Services will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 1:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.
Friends will be received 1 hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Community Action Head Start Wayne/Medina Counties, 905 Pittsburgh Ave., Wooster, OH 44691 (cawm.org / 330-641-6889), People to People Ministries, 454 E. Bowman St., Wooster, Ohio 44691 or 330-262-1662, American Heart Association, 1575 Corporate Woods Parkway Ste. 150, Uniontown, OH 44685, American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences maybe left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
We are sorry for you loss of this amazing woman who live an amazing and full life. May your memories of you Mom bring you comfort in the days to come. You carry her in your heart and through you her legacy will go on.
Sincerely Sharon Thoroughman and Sue Sears.
Don,
Judi and I are very sad and sorry for your loss. Betsy was always a warm and friendly woman and our great fortune to have known her.
I speak for myself and my sister, we are so sorry for your loss.
Amy(Grasgreen) Potter and Tracey Grasgreen
We are so sorry to hear the news of Betsy’s passing. She was a wonderful friendly person who will be missed by many many folks. Thinking of Don and the rest of your family at this sad time.
The Mike Schreiner Family
Don, Cari, Michael and Family- Jeff and I send our most sincere condolences at the passing of Betsy. She was a sweet lady and full of fun, light, and spirit. She will be missed.
Loved Betsy’s smile! Always so friendly to everyone! And such a warm heart! Wooster will miss her!
Cari I see where your compassion and volunteering spirit comes from a wonderful woman. May your memories
Help you thru this very hard time. ❤️
Dear Don, Cari and Michael, I’m sad about the loss of your mother and sad that I missed out on seeing Betsy more often than I could/should have. My memories include we spending time together in Columbus at Washington Square when she was visiting Don’s sister and brother in law. Dim in my memory is a visit to Wooster years ago while the dry goods store was still in operation. The last time I had the opportunity to visit with Betsy was in Cincinnati while sitting Shiva for Cookie. How sad that we let year after year pass then time runs out.
My sweet Betsy. Breaks my heart to say good bye. Sweetest, most loving friend ever. Thanks for all you’ve done for this world!!!!! That loving smile will be missed so much. My heart aches to think I won’t be gabbing across the counter with you at my store any more. Much love to your family, my angel friend.
Donnie, Cari, Michael and families…
Please know Alison and I send our deepest condolences to you all. As our friend for over 40 years we knew Betsy, your Mom, your Grandmother… as a special person full of love, empathy and compassion. Our hope is that Betsy’s special persona will sustain you all at this sad time.
Alison & Troy Schmidt
My sincere condolences to Donnie and family. She was such a sweet and kind lady.
I am so sorry to hear the news. Betsy was such a wonderful person and friend. We worked together for many years at People to People Ministries. She had a giving heart and loved her family do much. She will truly be missed by many. You are in my thoughts and prayers
hi don so sorry for your loss betsy was very pretty miss seeing u this summer
Betsy shared meaningful kindness and generosity to me and my family during my cancer treatments. Her heart shined with interest in us all and authentic kindness. These memories live on with me, and so, those of Betsy. I am sorry for your loss to you and your families.
Dear Don, Cari, Michael and families,
Betsy was such a good friend and neighbor and I will miss her immensly.
May your memories always warm your hearts.
Much Love,
Connie Simpson
Sorry to have heard the news of Betsy’s passing..our hearts go out to you and the children..RIP…
To Don, Cari, Michael and Families,
I was deeply saddened to lear of Betsy’s passing. It was just last year that we sat beside each other for the high holidays-always in the back row so we could talk during the service. She was also my favorite Sunday school teacher. She always had a smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor. I shall miss her. On behalf of the Abramson family- Ann Larry, and Dan we extend our deep sympathy at this time of great loss. She will alway live on in our hearts.
We are so sorry to hear of your great loss. Betsy loved each one of you dearly May you be able to smile some day when you think of her. May her memory be for a blessing
I am so sorry about Betsy’s passing_ can’t get her off my mind! I called her while she was on dialysis and she seemed to be doing well. Sincere sympathy to Cari and her brother- your mother was one of a kind. And to Donnie,
I hope you are doing well.
RIP, Betsy!
My condolence Betsy was so good to my kids in Headstart . She was so good to my son Mark. Anything he needed she made sure he had. She will be missed wonderful woman always in my prayers.