Betsy Jean Cowell knows the joy of service. She has been entertaining, through the use of her music skills, all of her life.
Many see Betsy experiencing difficulty walking and pulling a small suitcase behind her through the streets of St. Marys. But, she is not moving all of her worldly possessions to a new home. Instead, Betsy is on her way to catch a bus to St Marys station, and a train to Springwood, Blacktown or Richmond, so that she can bring joy to a group of elderly citizens in a nursing home through her music talents.
Betsy is a member of the Claremont Meadows congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and, for years, was its organist. However, her musical presentation for fellow oldies is largely non-religious and includes playing the piano, group singing and a patter of jokes and other comments.
In her earlier days, Betsy would travel to Waverley, Richmond, Emu Plains and other locations around Sydney – all on public transport. These days, especially since her husband, Bill, passed away and her knees began giving her pain and discomfort, Betsy restricts herself to bringing cheer to Emmaus nursing home in Kemps Creek and nursing homes in Springwood, Blacktown and Richmond each month.
A qualified accountant, Betsy ran a successful business during and after she and Bill raised their six children. But always, she was the musical and mischievous little girl at heart.
Betsy was born on the 6th March 1927, and was taught a love of music by her father who was a musical clown. She was encouraged to develop her talent and this led her to compose several songs for children. As her children married and left home, Betsy became increasingly interested in giving back something to the community that she had been a part of all her life. So began her musical service to fellow "oldies".
Betsy spends quite some time each month selecting and practising the numbers she will perform at the nursing homes, including jokes – some of which she has heard from others and some she makes up herself.
She chooses a theme for each month and then tailors the music to fit the theme. She hand-writes the words for every song and photocopies them for the group. "Older people prefer having handwritten words rather than typewritten ones," she says.
She practises the piano a few hours a day so she'll be just right at the time of the performance. A typical programme of Betsy's entertainment at the nursing home takes approximately an hour-and-a-half.
Lonely without her husband, Betsy fills many of her days with contacts with her children, her 28 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. Besides entertaining, she can be seen boarding a train to the city, riding on a bus or a ferry, and chatting with fellow passengers because she enjoys being with people.
Betsy, at age 84, is an inspiration to those who know her. She doesn't let very much restrict her from being an active participating member of her community. Betsy is one of those "oldies" who give old age a good name and reputation.