Betty Faye Smith Faulkner, age 88, died peacefully on December 14, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. Born on January 14, 1921 in Kansas City, Missouri, Betty Faye attended The Barstow School, graduating in 1938. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1942 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Betty Faye met her husband-to-be, Clark Faulkner of Lincoln, Nebraska, at a party for him in Kansas City when he was on a leave from fighting in the Pacific in WWII. After a long courtship, the couple wed on June 25, 1948 in Kansas City. They moved to Lincoln in 1952 where Clark eventually became President and CEO of Woodmen Accident and Life Company. Betty Faye enjoyed hosting company parties and events with Clark.
Betty Faye was active in many volunteer organizations and clubs in Lincoln: Junior League (President and Board member); Community Play House Board, Nebraska Art Association Board and Lincoln Symphony Guild Board. She attended St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. She was a member of Lincoln Country Club, Fortnightly, Nebraska Club, The Patriarchs and Sewing Club.
Active in sports all of her life, Betty Faye enjoyed tennis, golf and bowling. She loved boating with Clark on Lake Superior and vacationing at their summer home on Madeline Island. She played bridge and loved games.
After he husband died in 2003, Betty Faye returned to Kansas City in 2005 to live near her son, Clark, Jr. and his family. She resided at Brighton Gardens in Prairie Village until her death.
Betty Faye was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Faye Smith of Kansas City, her husband of 54 years, Clark Woods Faulkner, her brother, Lawrence E. Smith III of Kansas City and her daughter-in-law Terry Lioy Faulkner of Kansas City. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Ann Ferris of La Jolla, Ca, her son, Clark Faulkner, Jr. of Kansas City, her daughter, Laurie Faulkner Seiff and husband, David W. Seiff, of Saratoga, Ca; grandchildren: Elizabeth Salem (husband Matt Salem) of New York City; Anthony Faulkner (wife Melissa Faulkner) of Kansas City; Madeline Seiff of Saratoga, Ca. and Allison Seiff of Saratoga, Ca; and great-grandchildren: Brady and Blakely Faulkner and Andrew and Hadley Salem. Betty Faye’s wonderful sense of humor, sparkling blue eyes and friendly smile will be missed by her family and many friends.
A Memorial Service will be held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church at 3:00 pm on Dec. 17, 2009 following a private family interment ceremony at Wyuka Cemetery at 1:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church and Sheldon Art Gallery.