Milford chronicle., 1959-05-22
OBITUARY
lBETTS

/ Il 4
Mrs. l. w. Belts, Sr., widow of
the late Senator Belts, of Freder-
lea, died, May IA at Rhinebeck,
New York, at the age of 80, from
an acute circulatory illness. AS a
former member-officer she had
guided and enriched club, church
and civic organizations within
which she had so tirelessIy served.
She was born in Paterson, N. j.
and through her father, Richard
Van Ripper Roat, traced her geneal-
ogy to Captain Richard Van Ripper,
Revolutionary War hero. She was
descendant of the founders of
Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Mrs. Belts graduated from Os-
wego State Teachers college and
Oswego Business college, Oswego;
Mile. Fachett's School, New York
City, and in the English M. T.
System. Before her marriage she
had held administrative positions
in one of Americas leading de-
partment stores, New York City,
N. Y.
The deceased had been active in
the Daughters of the American
Revolution. Among the offices she
had held were Vice Regent, Colonel
Haslet Chapter, Dover; State
Chairman of Patriotic Education
and National Committee for Cor
rect Use of the Flag; State Trea-
surer.
She had at various times, head
ed each of the departments of the
Trinity Methodist Sunday School,
been president of the Ladies Aid,
member of the Church official
Board, president of the Home Mis-
sionary Society.
Mrs. Belts, while state officer
of the International Sunshine So
ciety (Member Genearr Federation
of Women's Clubs) had partici-
pated in the writing of the initial
bill to aid blind babies. This bill,
the first of its nature to be leg
islated, had the collaboration of
Mrs. Frank Tallman, member of the
Republican Committee. Senator
Belts sponsored the bill.
She helped to organize Red
Cross chapters throughout the
state during the First World War
and received special recognition
from the Federal Government. She
was president of the Frederick
chapter and state chairman of the
Home Service Section, working
directly with assisting service men
on leave.
Mrs. Belts frequently attended
national organizational conventions
in an official capacity. Two of the
last of these were as platform
guest-speaker with Mrs. Thomas
Alva Edison, in New York City, and
the National OAR Congress, Wash
inton, d. G.
The deceased had been active in
the League of Women Voters, was
a member of the Joint Legislative
Committee, and one of the first
women to be placed on the DEM
ocratic State Committee. She pio-
neered for women suffrage. When
women were given the franchise
she gave of her time and exper-
fence through calling at homes and
instructing both Republican and
Democratic women in the correct
use of ballots.
| Mrs. Belts had belonged to the
Eastern Star, Wilmington Chapter
No. L.. Diamond Club, Past State
Officers Club OAR, all of Whining
ton; the Milford New Century Club
and others; Pi Phi Kappa Sorority.
Her personal interest in the well
fare and happiness of fellow hui
man beings was always in evidence
She initiated and carried through
many helpful projects to benefit
others. Friends and neighbors
found her ever ready to lend q
sympathetic ear and willing to as
sist in any way possible. Her Gus
tomary cheerful greeting and gra-
cious hospitality though she re-
tired from active club work some
years ago, her keen interest in her
fellOw-men and world events as
well as local activities never waned
She was a talented artist in oil
painting and played three musical
instruments, Cat one time organ
lied a Junior League Orchestral
Mrs. Belts died while visiting her
daughter, Mrs. Jeanette B. Dodd
principal, ine.b eek Country
School, Rhinebeck, N. Y. Besides
her daughter, she leaves a son and
daughter-in-law, Mr.. and Mrs. I
Watson Belts, Jr.. Albany, N. Y;
a sister, Mrs Howard Cow Welch
Jamesport, Long Island; three
grandchildren, Miss Sylvia Belts
Dodd, Baltimore, Md: Mr.. Watson
Dodd, New Jersey; Mr.. Charles
Ames Belts, Vienna, Virginia; five
great grandchildren, Kathleen, Syl.
via and Bruce Dodd; Terance and
Anthony Russell Belts; nieces and
nephews.
Funeral services were held from
the Trinity Church, Frederick, by
the minister, the Rev. D. G. Bre.
wer. They were conducted by the
Rogers Funeral Home, Milford. In
terment was in Barratts Chapel
Cemetery. The pallbearers were:
Judge w. Marion Stevenson, of the
Juvenile Courts of Kent and Sussex
Counties, Postmaster Fora B. Tat
man, Messrs T. Burris Spurrv
Clarence Sipple, Benjamin Matlacl