Elizabeth "Betty" Harvey Blaikie

Elizabeth Harvey Blaikie (Betty), a long-time resident of both Carson City and Reno, Nevada died on Tuesday, August 19th. She was born in Sacramento, California on October 27th, 1920. Her father, the Rev. Dr. John L. Harvey and her mother Marion came to Carson City where he accepted the call to serve as the Pastor of the Federated Congregation of Presbyterians and Methodists and later for many years as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. At College of Pacific, she met the love of her life, John F. Blaikie (Jack) and they were married in 1942. During WWII, she stayed on the home front raising their first child, John William, while Jack was called to Europe where he served with distinction in the 3rd Armored Division and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Settling in Carson City Jack began a career as a teacher and administrator in the Carson School system while she became a homemaker. Three more children were born, Kathryn Elizabeth, Carolyn Jane, and Douglas Harvey. Through the years she dedicated herself to her family and faith. For decades Betty was a faithful Sunday School Teacher and member of the choir at the First Presbyterian Church, and was active in the PTA. As a devout Christian, she would always be the first to call on the name of the Lord for His help in times of emergencies and stress. A wonderful actress she took part in many community and church plays/productions. After attending Design School she became a skilled seamstress and found joy in sewing, especially for her daughters. If you were ever invited for a meal in the Blaikie home you were in for a treat, because she was a splendid cook. During the summer you would usually find her at the cabin her father built in Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe where she loved being with her family, siblings, nieces and nephews.

Jack passed away in 1991 and Betty made the hard decision to leave her home in Carson City and move to Reno to be closer to her family. In Reno, she continued to embrace life as her family grew. Today she is survived by her children, daughter-in-laws Karen (John) and Jean (Doug), her son-in-laws, Dennis (Kathy) and Tom (Jane); nine grandchildren Melanie, Jennifer, Ryan, Amanda, Lacey, Lindsey, Andrew, Christopher, and Daniel; seven great-grandchildren, and her brother John (Fred) Harvey and sister-in-law Isabel.



A memorial service will take place at Allen Park Presbyterian Church, 7101 Park Avenue, Allen Park, MI 48101, (313) 383-0100 on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at 1 p.m. followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall hosted by the Presbyterian Women of Allen Park Presbyterian Church.


A memorial scholarship fund is being established in memory of Elizabeth Harvey Blaikie at Zephyr Point Presbyterian Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, Nevada. This scholarship fund will allow children to attend a conference who need financial assistance. Checks may be made out to APPC designated: Betty Blaikie Memorial, 7101 Park Avenue, Allen Park, MI 48101.