Elizabeth "Betty" Ellen Anna Richardson, 88, of Knoxville, MD, passed away on February 8, 2026, at home.

Born on November 1, 1937, in Baltimore, MD she was the daughter of the late Fritz Grund and Lily Blake. She was a member of Sandy Hook United Methodist Church.

Betty was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and Mamaw whose life was firmly rooted in faith, family, and music. From the age of 17, she praised the Lord and served others as a pianist, organist, and choir director. She retired as a church music director in 2019, though her gift continued to bless others until the effects of dementia no longer allowed her to play.

Betty had a well-known love for sweets—cookies, peanut butter fudge, and even Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk straight from the can. At Christmastime, she delighted in baking a wide variety of specialty cookies for all to share. Her cinnamon cake was legendary, generously layered with cinnamon, sugar, and butter—because yes, Betty loved her butter. Affectionately known in the family as the "10/10/10 cake," it took 10 minutes to make, 10 minutes to bake, and 10 minutes to eat. Her hot milk cake, topped with a thick layer of rich, dark chocolate, remains everyone's favorite birthday treat.

Christmas was especially dear to Betty's heart. Extended family Christmas reunions, carried on for many years, grew from the large holiday gatherings of her Mamaw Blake's family. She cherished celebrating each year with her aunts, uncles, cousins—everyone. Christmas worship was also deeply meaningful to her, as she arranged and directed choir cantatas and provided the music for the entire season.

Betty grew up a "city girl" in the Woodberry neighborhood of Baltimore. After graduating from high school, her family moved to Howard County near Ellicott City. There, she met her "country boy," Norman, in 1958 through the Methodist Church South District Older Youth Group. They married a year later, welcomed their first child in 1960, and in 1961 moved to Norman's family farm in Anne Arundel County. As their family grew with two more children, Betty learned and embraced rural life, sharing in the daily chores that sustained their family. In 1981, they moved to Washington County, where they continued their country life together for another 45 years.

In her final years, Betty found joy on her front porch, watching the hummingbirds buzz about the feeders. She came to deeply love the beauty of the surrounding landscape and wildlife, with South Mountain serving as a constant and peaceful canvas framed by her living room window.

Betty is survived by her loving husband of 66 years, Norman Richardson, at home; one daughter, Karen Dunn and husband, Donnie; two sons, Robert Richardson and wife Cheryl, Ted Richardson; six grandchildren, Allie Dunn, Franklin Dunn and wife, Erica, Daniel Dunn and wife, Alexia, Stacie DeHaven and husband, Kyle, Zachary Richardson and wife, Lyndsie, Oona Richardson; twelve great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Fritz Grund; and one grandson, Donald Dunn, Jr.

Services will be held on February 24, 2026, at 11:00 A.M., at Brownsville Church of the Brethren, 1911 Rohrersville Road, Knoxville, MD 21758, with Pastor Sharon Lowans officiating.

The family will receive friends at the church from 10:15 am to 11:00 am  for visitation.

Flowers are always welcome, but if one prefers they may donate to one of Betty's favorite charities, St Joseph's Indian School at https://www.stjo.org or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/