Elizabeth "Betsy" Warnygora

Elizabeth Ann “Betsy” Warnygora, 75, of Duluth, peacefully passed away on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, at the Benedictine Health Center, surrounded by her family.

Betsy was born along with her twin sister Barbara on Sept. 7, 1946, to Ernest and Rose Mary Bailey in Detroit, MI. She was the oldest sister of a loving family of ten siblings. Her kids, Todd Warnygora and Jody Robinson, were her greatest pride and joy. She found so much happiness in her family and friends as well. Betsy worked for 34 years as a passionate critical care nurse at Essentia Health (St. Mary’s Hospital). Her devotion to patients was unparalleled. Her love and respect for her co-workers earned her Employee of the Year honors at St. Mary’s Hospital in 2005. As a nurse, she touched the lives of thousands of people with her quiet competence, her extremely kind actions, and her joyful optimistic personality.

Betsy loved sailing Lake Superior on her sailboat, Wind Dancer. She shared this love of sailing by taking countless friends and family on her boat. She also spent a lot of time walking her dogs on ‘her’ beach on Park Point. While visiting her children in Washington and Colorado, she developed a passion for hiking in the mountains. She was a proud and active member of the Park Point community. She wrote for the Park Point Breeze newsletter and organized neighborhood events.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Kevin, Michael, and Bill Bailey; sister, Terry Bailey; nephew, Kevin Baxter; and In-laws Hazel and Gene Warnygora.

She is survived by her children, Todd (Nicole) Warnygora of Fort Collins, CO, and Jody Robinson of Maple Valley, WA; grandchildren, Aspen and Sierra Warnygora and Tobias and Bailey Robinson; sisters, Barbara (Daniel) Peterson, Kim (Steve Carre) Bailey, Weezie (Terry) Novack, Patty (Ken) Minehan and Robin (Denny) Baxter; sister and brother in-laws Lou (Chuck) Largent, Neil (Lori) Warnygora, Steve Warnygora, and Julie Lindgren; nieces and nephews, Scott Tomlinson, Eddie Baxter, Gloria Baxter, Tara Bailey, Michael Bailey, Cory Largent, Andy Largent, Kate Clay, Jason Warnygora, Travis Warnygora, Stefanie Peterson, Emily Warnygora and Tyler Warnygora. As well as many beloved great-nieces and great-nephews and extended family.

The Visitation will be from 9 to 10AM Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, in St. Mary Star of the Sea (325 E. 3rd St., Duluth, MN) followed by an 10AM Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary Star of the Sea followed by Procession and Burial to Calvary Cemetery in Duluth. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1PM to 5PM at Clyde Iron Works (2920 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MN).

Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E, 2nd ST. Duluth, MN 55805. 218-727-3555 is assisting the family with arrangements. The family requests those that wish to express sympathy, can send flowers to St. Mary Star of the Sea or consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association (alzfdn.org) in her name.