“She added humor and wit to everyone’s day,” says Skai W. Schwartz, PhD, associate professor of epidemiology.

For seventeen years, Ms. Betty Ferrier served as an office assistant in the USF College of Public Health. She passed away on August 13 in Valrico, Florida.

(r,l) Betty Ferrier pictured with Dr. Heather Stockwell, professor and chair in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

To faculty and students in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Ms. Ferrier was far more than an office assistant.

Advisor, confidant, planner, informant, juggler, comic, scheduler, gatekeeper, and accountant are a few of the many duties she mastered in an effort to keep the things running smoothly.

“Betty was a key member of the department of epidemiology,” said Paul Leverton, PhD, professor emeritus.”  Jokingly he adds, as the department’s first academic chair “I take credit for hiring Betty as our administrative assistant.”

Ms. Betty Ferrier joined USF in 1986 and chose to share her time and talents with the College of Public Health until she retired in 2003.”

“Betty was a wonderful caring person who was devoted to the department, its students, and faculty for more than 17 years,” Dr. Stockwell said. “She still kept in touch with many of the faculty and former students in her retirement and will be missed by all.”

Missed, yes. But, thankfully, her impact on students, faculty, and the college lives on.

 * * *

 FERRIER, Betty L., 78 of Valrico. God called her name; she took his hand and entered eternal rest on August 13, 2013. She was born in Moline, IL. April 9, 1935. Her parents Phillip and Helen Van De Velde of Moline, IL. preceded her in death. She is survived by her beloved and devoted husband of 55 years, Keith Ferrier, son Blair and wife Michelle, grandson Ian Ferrier of Austin, TX. and her dear and devoted brother B. J. Van De Velde of Columbus, OH. She was a graduate of Moline Senior High School class of 1953. She was of Lutheran faith. She moved to Tampa area in 1986 and resided at the time of her death in Valrico, FL. She retired from the University of South Florida in 2003 after 17 years of service. She was an active member for many years with FACTOR’s (Fighting Against Cancer Together) at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Center in Tampa. She was active with the American Cancer Society as a volunteer with the Reach to Recovery Program. She was affiliated with the Lamda Rho Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. It was her wish to be cremated. Zipperer’s Funeral Home, Ruskin, FL. Is handling the cremation. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association.

Reposted from www.tbo.com