When Betsy Neisner died on Aug. 13, I began thinking back to the early days of Cancer Connection in Northampton. Officially founded in 2000 with my co-director Jackie Walker, the non-profit was created with the idea that people with cancer and their families would have a safe place to go and talk to others with similar experiences. Betsy was one of the participants in the first support group for women with gynecological cancers. She joined the board, became my colleague after Jackie’s sudden death and then director when I stepped down. Under Betsy’s eight years of leadership (while going through new diagnoses and treatments) Cancer Connection’s programs and support groups thrived. The organization — because of Betsy’s supportive collaborative style of leadership — became well known and loved in the community. Betsy’s institutional wisdom and knowledge was evident even in her last months as we all looked to her for guidance in many areas: for Cancer Connection, for advice on living with a long-term cancer diagnosis, for ways to face death with such fearless dignity as she was. She was a friend to all. Throughout Betsy’s tenure, as well as during the terms of an interim director, a director who served for three years in the pandemic, a team of wonderful staff persons held the “Mothership” office and the Thrift Shop on track. Recently Betsy’s three longtime hires with a combined 43 years of service at the main office have stepped down. I’d like to publicly thank them for their continuous excellent stewardship of Cancer Connection. The programs, the support groups, the events, and the donations continued due to their commitment. Those staff members, as well as dear Betsy, will be missed. They have my personal gratitude for keeping Jackie’s dream alive. She and Betsy are smiling down on them.
Debra Orgera
Northampton