1931
2013
Beloved wife, mother, stepmother, and grandmother, Betty Joan Blomgren Adams died peacefully at Rex Hospital in Raleigh on August 27, 2013 after a brief illness. She was 82. An artist, professor and active supporter of the arts, Betty's warmth, sense of humor, joi de vivre, and talent illuminated the many lives she touched.
Betty was born August 7, 1931 in New Britain, Connecticut. Her parents were Ragnhild Margaret Anderson and Evert Axel Blomgren, both born in Sweden. Her father developed electro-mechanical devices that were used in many aerospace vehicles and projects. Betty enjoyed all things Swedish, and a Swedish flag frequently flew in her honor when she was in residence at her Cameron Park home or at her beach cottage in Emerald Isle.
Betty graduated from Berlin High School in Connecticut in 1949. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn in 1953. She married Fred Eichenberger in 1954, and together they had five children. The family lived in Cincinnati, Ohio until moving to Raleigh in 1963 where Fred taught at the NCSU School of Design. In 1973 she earned her Masters of Arts Teaching from UNC Chapel Hill.
For a short time after graduating, Betty taught at Peace College and sold real estate. In 1973 she started teaching at St. Mary's College, which at that time was a two-year high school combined with a two-year college. She taught at St. Mary's for 19 years and retired as Chair of the Fine Arts Department and Professor Emeritus.
Betty was active in the fine arts of Raleigh and served two terms as a legislative appointee to the North Carolina Museum of Art. She also served several terms on the boards of Art Space and the Art Exchange. More recently she was instrumental in founding, and then serving on the board of, the Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh (CAM). Her four terms allowed her to witness and take part in many changes and plans for the future of CAM. At the time of her death Betty was eagerly preparing for an exhibit of her paintings at the Roundabout Gallery in Raleigh. An event is being planned at the gallery in early December to celebrate her life and work.
Betty married J. Allen Adams in 1977 and added three step children to her family of five boys. She and Allen were devoted patrons of the theater, symphony, opera and ballet. In 2004, together, they were honored with the Paladin Art Achievement Award, given by the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce. They loved traveling and their cottage at Emerald Isle. Betty was a gracious and indefatigable hostess who threw impromptu family brunches with the same aplomb as a black-tie dinner. Her generosity, reasonableness and kind nature immediately put people at ease.
She is survived by her loving husband, J. Allen Adams; brother, Bruce (Marideanne) Blomgren; children, Kurt (Donna Anderson) Eichenberger, Tom (Christine Murphy) Eichenberger, David (Jennifer) Eichenberger, and John (Amy Roessel) Eichenberger; step-children, Ann (Bill) Borden, Jeff (Dorota) Adams, and Spencer (Dennise) Adams; and her grandchildren, David Eichenberger, Stefan Gruber, Caroline (Luke) Hallam, Eva Gruber, James Borden, Kevin Eichenberger, Ethan Eichenberger, Erin Eichenberger, Morgan Adams, Will Eichenberger, Carmen Eichenberger, and Lauren Eichenberger; nephew, Evan; grandniece, Ava. Betty was preceded in death by her sister, Sarah Blomgren, her former husband, Fred Eichenberger, and her son, Peter Eichenberger.
A celebration of Betty's life will be held Sunday, September 1 at 2:00pm at the Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh, 409 W. Martin Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that all donations in her memory be made to the Contemporary Art Museum Raleigh or Saint Mary's School, 900 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.brownewynne.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
September 9, 2013
Yevonne Brannon
Betty was so gracious, so polite and interested in her guests! She always was encouraging and supportive. Al, we are all -- throughout the community -- we are praying for you.
September 8, 2013
Al -
How saddened I was to learn of Betty's death when I returned from the mountains yesterday. She was everything the obituary said and more. Just a charming, lovely, generous person. I last saw her at the reception for the new president of St. Mary's last year and as always, we resumed the special St. Mary's friendship we enjoyed when we were working together. There are now only two of us who represent that era. I am thinking about you Al and your loss. She was the best.
Jane Rabon
September 6, 2013
Al, Dave and I are saddened by Betty's death. The world needs more like her not fewer. I'm sure she had much more to give. She will be missed. We will pray you and your family will soon find peace. Mary Cates, Raleigh
September 4, 2013
Guy Rohling
Al,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
September 3, 2013
Beckie Street
Mr. and Mrs. Adams graciously invited me into their home and hearts over twenty seven years ago. Mrs. Adams was a grand lady and I am very honored to have been a part of her life. My heart breaks for her family and her friends.
September 2, 2013
To Al Adams, children, grandchildren and family members, my thoughts to you all, about Betty. I've known many of you since about 1980 when I first came to Raleigh from Minnesota. Betty was introduced to me and over the years, again and again, stories about her talents spread. My condolences to you all.
Harriett Stubbs, Raleigh NC
September 2, 2013
Phil Kirk
I was always welcomed in Betty and Al's home in Cameron Park. She was definitely "the hostess with the mostest" and will be missed. She made many contributions to the Raleigh community, especially in the arts and education. My thoughts and prayers are with Al and the family during this time of celebration of a life well lived although it ended too soon.
September 1, 2013
Lydia Boesch
My mom, Mary Jane Owen (later Mary Jane Ethridge) and Betty became very good friends when my mom moved to Raleigh in 1972. I admired Betty from the moment I met her. Such a lady and so interesting. I loved spending time with her. It was an honor to have known her.
August 31, 2013
Joan Troy
It was a privilege to know her and be welcomed into her home.
August 31, 2013
Ruth Little
I only met Betty in the last six months, while researching a book on the neighborhood centennial, but I think someone on the Cameron Park yahoo group said it best--"The heart of Cameron Park is gone."
August 31, 2013
Peter Atkinson
The times Mary and I spent with Betty & Al, vacations in Maine, long weekend in London to see art shows and theatre, numerous visits to Emerald Isle and Raleigh as well as their visits with us in Virginia, are truly some of the most treasured memories in my life. Betty you were beautiful, funny, and a perfect straight person for dear Al. You may be gone but you will never be forgotten.
August 31, 2013
I remember first hearing about Betty from Helen Crisp who had bonded with her as Helen knew the chaos of rearing a house full of girls, and Betty knew the chaos of rearing a house full of boys.Helen voiced a bit of envy of Betty as Betty always seemed to look terrific, no matter what, and to be habitually gracious and pleasant. What a loss for us all...May we have learned a bit from Betty's example to convey some of her spirit to the next generation... Condolences are extended to the family...-Marty Lamb (neighbor)
August 31, 2013
Dear Allen,
My thoughts and prayers are with you, the Eichenberger and Adams clans, and all who knew and admired Betty, who was such a talented and gracious woman. I have fond memories of my last visit with both of you in Raleigh. Now in Chicago, I will be with you in spirit as you celebrate Betty's life at CAM. God bless! Betty Ann McNeil
August 31, 2013
Peg Eichenberger Rhoda
John let me know about the sad news of Betty's passing,after hearing it from Tom. What a beautiful tribute to her life! She obviously touched so many people. I wish we could have kept in touch more. May the families be comforted knowing those of us "up north" are keeping you in our thoughts & prayers. Peg Eichenberger Rhoda & Family
August 31, 2013
Dear Al,
Its been a long time since I have seen you and Betty, in Raleigh or at Emerald Isle but I have not forgotten you beautiful people.It is awful to lose half your soul in one fell swoop. I pray that you will believe as I do that memories can comfort and that love lives on forever. Trish Love(used to be Hunt)from Chapel Hill.
August 31, 2013
David Cooper
Dear Al, and extended family. I am so sorry you have lost your beloved Betty. She was a wonderful, lovely and delightful person, and I have many fond memories of all our times together. My heart goes out to you. When the dust settles and you feel up to it, please consider a trip west to see us and spend some time in La Jolla. Much love and all best in this difficult time. Dave
August 30, 2013
Amanda Durant
Ms. Adams was my high school art teacher at St. Mary's, where I was a very awkward student with dreams of pursuing serious painting. She was a kind and patient teacher who really sparkled, inside and out. Years later she purchased a small painting that I painted while attending an artist residency in France from the Lee Hansley Gallery in Raleigh, where other of my works from the same residency were being shown. I was so honored and gratified to learn this, especially since it meant that she knew I was still serious about painting. My deepest sympathy to her family and loved ones during this difficult time. Heartfelt prayers of gentle healing, too. And gratitude to Ms. Adams for her lovely ways, for her teaching and for her dedication to the arts and to her community.
August 30, 2013
Richard Rudy
I met Al years ago and was fortunate enough to also meet and talk with Betty on a number of occasions. What a lovely and completely charming lady. A renaissance woman with a depth and wide scope of knowledge who used her talent and wisdom to make a better place for all of us.
August 30, 2013
Barbara Beasley
What a beautiful tribute to an exceptionally talented woman who was so involved in her community and touched so many lives !! My condolences and prayers go out to the family at such a sad time but what a legacy she leaves behind to remember her by
August 30, 2013
I first met Betty almost thirty years ago when my husband Steve and I moved to Cameron Park. I remember saying "when I grow up, I want to be just like Betty Adams." We will miss her so much.
August 30, 2013
Emily (Burns) Smith
My sympathies to the Adams and Eichenberger families. Betty was a lovely lady I remember well from my childhood growing up in Raleigh. She will be missed by many whom she touched over the years.
August 30, 2013
Chris Crew
Sorry for your loss, guys.
August 30, 2013
Nicole Welch
Betty was a beautiful spirit and an inspiring woman. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.
August 30, 2013
MaryBeth Owen
Thinking of all of you at this time. Betty will be missed by so many people.
August 30, 2013
Neal Jackson
Betty was one of the loveliest people I've known, and she and Al were the perfect couple. She will be missed greatly by all who knew her, but her contributions to her community live on. May Al and other family members be in peace knowing how much she gave to us all.
August 30, 2013
Amanda Turner
My God give you peace and comfort during your time of loss. She was a beautiful lady, both inside and out. She gave so much to her community and to her family. She will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Amanda Turner
August 30, 2013
Lou Jurkowski
Al,
I'm heartbroken about our loss of your beautiful wife Betty. I'll miss our impromptu conversations on the sidewalk in Cameron Park, her smiles, her graciousness and the love she shared with everyone. Betty knew what life was truly about.
Warmly,
Lou Jurkowski
August 30, 2013
Anne Russell
Betty always was a pleasure to behold. (from formerly Anne Twiggs of Raleigh)
August 30, 2013
Lynn
I am so very sorry for the loss of such a wonderful woman who has been a quiet force in so many lives, an inspiration to so many people, and a gentle spirit to those who were honored to have known her for so very long!!! To her family- my prayers are with you all.
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