- Betty Brown Ducklow, Appleton, writer, journalist, and a great friend to many, p assed away Saturday, July 15, due to complications from Alzheimer's diseas e. She was 86 years old. Betty had been a lifelong resident of Appleton, a nd never lived more than two blocks from the City Park (which she claim ed was HER park). A graduate of Appleton High School in 1938 and Lawren ce College in 1942, Betty began her career as a writer at the Appleton Pos t-Crescent where she covered boxing matches in Kaukauna and a young Joe Mc Carthy. She later worked at WHBY becoming the station's first female ne ws director. Together with her husband, Robert, she started the family bus iness, Ducklow Communications, in 1965, where she worked in public relatio ns and business writing. Betty's light and humorous writing style match ed her personality. She wrote many entertaining stories for The Post-Cresc ent as "The Little Old Lady in White Tennis Shoes".
Betty was always one to give of herself to the community. She believed th at we were put on Earth to make it a better place for others. Among the ma ny concerns she helped over the years include the Red Feather Organizatio n, the First United Methodist Church, Wednesday Review Book Club, Chari ty Circle of Kings Daughters, Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, Rawhide Bo ys Ranch, Lawrence University (recipient of the Gertrude B. Jupp Outstandi ng Service Award), the Rotary Club of Appleton (where she was awarded a Pa ul Harris Fellowship), the Fox Valley Symphony, the Appleton Gallery of Ar ts, the Outagamie Chapter of the American Red Cross, Theatrix Childrens Th eater and Leaven and the Ring Dance Committee.
Betty's love of music was evident to everyone in the Valley. From her da ys of being in the chorus at Lawrence, to playing the triangle as a lark f or the Fox Valley Symphony, to her enthusiastic support of the Symphony fr om her usual spot in the front row of the Chapel, Betty enjoyed every not e.
Betty will probably most be remembered for her love of having a good ti me with all her friends and family. There was nothing she enjoyed more th an throwing a good party, and Betty could throw the best! Her annual Chris tmas parties were the highlight of the season. Betty's bubbly personali ty and wonderful sense of humor made her loved by everyone who met her.
Betty is survived by her daughter Perri, and son, Peter; two grandchildre n: Norman Cyman (Vicki) and Christopher Cyman; two nephews: Hugh and To m; a niece, Nan; and a cousin Pat Pottratz.
Her husband Robert preceded her in death.
A memorial service for Betty will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 20 06, at the funeral home chapel. Friends may gather to visit and share memo ries of Betty at the funeral home on Friday from 4 p.m. until the ho ur of the memorial service. A memorial fund in Betty's name is being estab lished to benefit Lawrence University.
The family would like to thank the entire staff of Colony Oaks Care Cente r, especially those in the Special Care Unit, who made Mom's last days ve ry happy and comfortable.
WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton 920-739-1231
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1920 - 2006 (86 years)
[1] 
Death Record - Civil
