Betsy (Williams) McClung

Betsy (Williams) McClung, 72, Dec. 14, 1942 – Sept. 10, 2015

Obituary published in The Oregonian, Oct. 11, 2015

McClung, Betsy (Williams) RN, MN, was born in Bend, to Dr. Oscar and Helen (Carlson) Williams.  Most of her early years were spent in Oregon and near Olympia.  After graduating from Albany High School, she attended Lewis and Clark College for two years before completing her undergraduate education at the Univ. of Oregon School of Nursing.  In her early nursing career, she coordinated educational activities for clinic nurses at the Univ. Hospital in Portland.  

            She married Ron Love with whom she had her two children, Holly and Andy.  She later returned to school and received her master’s degree in nursing from the Oregon Health & Science University. 

            In the mid-1980’s, she and Dr. Michael McClung, founded the Oregon Osteoporosis Center in Portland which became widely recognized as a leading clinical, educational and research center.  She and Dr. McClung married in 1993.  Betsy made presentations at many national and international meetings and was widely recognized as a strong advocate of the role of nurses in managing patients with osteoporosis.  She was a teacher and mentor who inspired many by her intelligence, compassion and sensitivity. 

            Betsy served as president of the Endocrine Nurses Society, and served on the boards of the Paget Foundation and the North American Menopause Society.

            Tributes are planned at international meets where her leadership, humanity and spirit were appreciated.

            Betsy reveled in her family.  By sharing her optimistic outlook and her enthusiasm for each new day with us, she made us all be better.  Her wisdom, courage, love and special way of making us happy will be deeply missed.  Betsy lived a full, happy, productive and influential life.  She was a star during life, and we know that her light still shines on us even in her absence. 

            An extended personal history is available at http://www.BetsyMcClung.com. 

            Survivors include her husband, Michael McClung; daughter, Holly Love; son Any Love; and grandson, Oscar Love, all of Portland; stepson, Daniel McClung of Ann Arbor, MI; sisters, Margaret Hitchcock, Exeter, England and Janey Sherman, Amesbury, MA; and brothers, James Williams, Colorado Springs, CO, and Doug Williams, Omaha, NE.

            A private memorial service will be held.  Remembrances may be made in Betsy’s memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.