Betty Whitney Alderson

Betty Whitney Alderson died on November 4, 2023, in Lawrence.  She was born on November 19, 1924, in Topeka, Kansas to Evelyn W. Miller Whitney and Dwight Wright Whitney.  She went to Topeka High and graduated from Wichita North High School.  She attended the University of Kansas and graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1946.  She continued her loyal support for KU for the rest of her life.

She married Donald K. Alderson in June of 1946.

In addition to her work as a pharmacist, she was active in Girl Scouts, Sigma Kappa sorority, Kappa Epsilon (pharmacy), Mortar Board, and local, state, and national historic preservation.

Betty is survived by her daughter, Marcia (Jim) Buchanan of Alexandria, VA, and Tom (Susie) Alderson of St. Joseph, MO; five grandchildren Sarah and David Buchanan, Tom (Karli) Alderson, Hobie (Kaitlyn) and Harrison Hoffmann and great-grandchildren Megan and Maci Alderson, Lorraine Hoffmann, and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald K. Alderson, her sisters, Peggy Whitney Hobbs and Jane Lee Ford, and her daughter Susan Alderson Hoffmann.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 15 at 2:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Betty’s name to University of Kansas Endowment or to Plymouth Congregational Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.

For more information or to post a condolence go to warrenmcelwain.com .