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.