Obituary of Betsy Whiting

Betsy Mackintosh Whiting, beautiful and beloved mother, grandmother, and mother-in-law died December 29, 2023. She lived an incredible life, she was 100 years old. Born in Holyoke, MA., on August 17, 1923, Betsy was the daughter of Marian (Moore) and Malcolm E. Mackintosh. She attended local schools and graduated from Pine Manor College. Betsy was a member of the United Church of Christ formerly the Second Congregational Church of Holyoke. She was very active in many of Holyoke’s social clubs and civic organizations throughout her life. Betsy was an avid golfer, tennis player, and bridge player. Later in life she redeveloped a love for the card game pitch routinely winning against all her opponents. She had learned to play pitch earlier in life from the boys while working at Steiger’s Department Store. All her life she was a passionate reader of nonfiction. She was the great granddaughter of Donald Mackintosh, a Scottish immigrant and skilled dyer of cotton who came to Holyoke in the 1850s, eventually forming D. Mackintosh and Sons in 1868, one of the premier cotton dyeing companies in the country. In 1948, Betsy married the boy across the street Richard Cooley Whiting, former president of Whiting Oil Corp., now deceased. Together they raised three children. She is survived by her children Richard Cooley Whiting Jr. (Jennifer), Keren Whiting, (David Oldershaw), Ann Weed (Frank) and six grandchildren, Dylan, Samuel, and Alexandra Whiting and Anna, Sophie and Louisa Weed. There are no calling hours. Burial will be private in the Forestdale Cemetery, Holyoke MA. A memorial service will be held at a later date.