Elizabeth "Betsy" (Dow) Gulla

Elizabeth “Betsy” (Dow) Gulla died at home on April 19, 2024 in Forest, Virginia. She was born on December 13, 1938 in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Robert Dow and Anna (Hart) Dow. 

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Robert Andrew Gulla; her sister Roberta Dow; her sons Christopher Douglas Gulla (daughter-in-law Brenda Marie Cavanaugh), Jonathan Andrew Gulla, and Craig Addison Gulla; several nieces and nephews; and a few great-nieces and great nephews. 

She was predeceased by both her parents, her half brother George, her brother Robert, and her sister Margaret. 

She graduated from Warren Harding High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1956; attended Barrington College (now Gordon College) in Barrington, Rhode Island; earned an Associate in Science degree from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1981; and an Associate of Science degree from Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire in 1989. She held several part-time and full-time positions while raising her family. She was an early adopter of emerging office computer technologies in the 1980’s, and later in her career taught adult computer classes. She enjoyed travelling within the United States, Canada and Europe, and had a special fondness for Scotland and England. Her curiosity led her to try out such adventures as whitewater rafting, zip lining, golfing, cross country skiing, horseback riding, and hiking the mountains of New Hampshire. She became an avid gardener after moving to New Hampshire in 1984, growing herbs and flowers there and at her home in Virginia. Later in life she became an expert quilter, creating unique works of art that her family and friends will continue to treasure. 

A memorial service will be held at Tharp Funeral Home at 11:00 am on Friday, April 26, 2024, followed by a reception at the home of her husband Robert, in Forest, Virginia.