A Complete Life

Written by P. Gordon Sroufe:

Elizabeth Ann (Betty) Sroufe nee Maupin

Born July 17, 1925. Died December 12, 2024 (99 years old)

Following a long and successful life in education and in the gymnastics world, she died

of a stroke and other complications. She leaves behind her sons, Barry D. Sroufe and

Phillip G. Sroufe. Her husband, Gordon Holland Sroufe of nearly 48 years preceded her

in death in 1993.

She was the daughter of LeRoy Maupin and Marie (Lenhoff) Maupin. She had 9 siblings

who have preceded her in death.

She would often tell friends, "I have danced all my life."

Betty began taking dance lessons at the age of five from The Lubbers Dance Studio

and later became a teacher for him. In 1949, she began her own dance studio in her

sister, Mary's garage. Later she moved the Studio to her home at 2420 Pleasant

Avenue in Lindenwald. She and her family then moved to 516 Fairview Avenue, also in

Lindenwald. At both locations she held dance and acrobat classes in the basement of

her home several days a week.

The business moved to a larger building at 421 South Third Street in Hamilton, next to

the old Knights of Columbus building. In the early 1960's the expanded business moved

to downtown Hamilton on the second floor above Kresge's on High St. The Dance

Studio's final stop before closing in the mid 70's was to the second floor of a smaller

building on High St. next to the old Firestone service center.

"I was born to be a teacher," she often told friends and relatives. And she was quite the

teacher and mentor to all her students in her dance studio, but also her students at

Notre Dame High School and Badin High School from 1955 – 1976.

She taught mostly gym classes but was given additional opportunities to create other

activities for her students, such as a drill team and gymnastics.

Her drill teams became State Champions, especially at Badin. The Badinettes became

the first team in all sports at Badin to become a State Champion.

While at Badin, she began and coached a gymnastics program for female students with

the encouragement of Fr. Francis J. Miller and her husband, Bud. "I never felt I was

really the coach. It was Bud that taught the girls gymnastics. I taught them the dance

moves." The results were gymnasts who were successful at the local, state and regional

levels.

One unforeseen result of her involvement in gymnastics was becoming a gymnastics

judge. After becoming certified, she taught her students at Badin how to judge. As her

experience and reputation among other judges grew, she began to host judging clinics

all over Ohio and the Midwest to recruit and test new judges.

At some point, based on her judging experience, she felt the need for a national

organization to help judges, keep them current, sponsor judging workshops, and receive

fair compensation for judges at all levels. With the help of Delene Darst and others, they

formed the National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges. She served as the

first Secretary/Treasurer for many years. That organization still thrives today because of

her drive and influence.

Betty continued to judge for many years and eventually became a Brevet level judge.

The highest level of women's gymnastics judging. One of her most exciting experiences

was assisting judges from around the world at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los

Angeles.

However, she liked judging college meets most of all, especially in Georgia and Florida.

After her husband's death in 1993, she spent every winter in Florida judging meets and

enjoying the company of many judges, coaches, and friends. She also found the time to

teach line dance classes in Florida and in Hamilton senior centers.

In addition to family, Betty leaves behind hundreds of friends and colleagues in all

aspects of her life's experience.

Betty always challenged her students at her Dance Studio, Notre Dame, and Badin not

only to excel in class and other activities, but to succeed in life no matter where it led.

She could also challenge her family, friends and colleagues to find ways to accomplish

the seemingly impossible. She was a force for good and change and will be missed.

Friends may call from 10:00am-11:00am Friday December 27, 2024 in the Zettler Funeral Home, 2646 Pleasant Ave. Hamilton, Ohio 45015. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00am Friday in the funeral home. Private inurnment will be in Rose Hill Burial Park.