Elizabeth Claiborne Robinson Whitney
Elizabeth Claiborne Robinson Whitney - known to nearly everyone as Betsy - was born on August 11, 1960 and lived 65 years with uncommon purpose leaving her mark on nearly every corner of Greater Roanoke's civic and cultural life. She graduated early at the age of 16 from Franklin County High School in 1977 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Roanoke College in 1981. She also held a Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She was married to her devoted husband Steven Rogers Whitney for over 30 years. On May 5, 2026, Betsy died after a battle with CNS Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer.
Betsy worked as a flight attendant for a decade before embarking on a successful business career where she was a record-setting Account Executive with the Dillard Paper Company (xpedx). Betsy had intended to return to college study to become a librarian but accepted a part-time position at the Roanoke-based Total Action for Progress. From there, Betsy transitioned to a career in nonprofits. She began in development with Total Action for Progress, where she worked as the Capital Campaign Coordinator, raising money in the early 2000s for the Dumas Center remodel and reopening. Betsy then became the Deputy Director of Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley, where she helped grow the organization for over eight years. In 2013, she joined the Carilion Clinic Foundation as the Annual Giving Officer. During her time at Carilion, she worked with others to launch the Robert L.A. Keeley Healing Arts Institute. Betsy began her work as the Chief Philanthropy Officer for Good Samaritan Hospice in the spring of 2021. Her work for Good Samaritan Hospice focused primarily on the capital campaign to fund a hospice house in Roanoke. The Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House had a ribbon cutting in early June of 2024 and became the region's first freestanding hospice unit. At the time of her death, she was surrounded by love and care from her Good Sam family.
Beyond her professional work, Betsy was deeply invested in the community. She was the immediate Past President of the Roanoke Women's Foundation. She was also a long-standing member of the City of Roanoke Arts Commission where she worked with leaders to fund dozens of nonprofit arts organizations over the years. Beyond that, Betsy was a graduate of and later an advisor for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Roanoke Valley program. She was also part of the original leadership group of the Down By Downtown Music Festival and a founding board member of The Spot on Kirk - a nonprofit music venue in Roanoke. This spring she was recognized by the United Way of Virginia's Blue Ridge as one of its "100 Heroes" in the Leadership Category. Betsy's impact will be felt in the region for generations.
Betsy was an avid reader who averaged about three books a week. She was a passionate friend who cared for others, loved to travel, and did everything with just the right amount of flair. She and her husband Steve have been dog people for decades (Betsy insisted on always having rescue dogs) and they thoroughly enjoyed their extra-special Pyrenees-mix Tulsa who joined the family in 2023.
She is predeceased by her father Robert Howard Robinson and her mother Emily Claiborne Carper Robinson. She is survived by her husband Steve, her brother Robert H. "Robbie" Robinson, Jr. (Linda), her niece Kristen A. Robinson-Defot (Stephan), her great-niece Romy K. Defot, her brothers-in-law Paul K. Whitney (Cheri), Lee F. Whitney (Kim), and their children.
A memorial service for Betsy Whitney is planned for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Second Presbyterian Church, 214 Mountain Avenue, SW, Roanoke, VA 24016. The service will begin at 11 a.m. and a reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Good Samaritan Hospice, 4751 Cove Road, NW, Roanoke, VA 24017 (or online at www.GoodSam.care).
