Elizabeth Mahoney Wilkins, known as Betsy, wife of her high school sweetheart, John Wilkins, and mother of three children died Monday, September 8th, 2025 of cardiac arrest.  She was 73 years old.  Having dedicated herself to a lifetime of service in the greater Philadelphia community, Betsy began her career as a candy striper in Bryn Mawr Hospital in Philadelphia's Main Line.  Betsy's energy and true passion for medical care led to a career in nursing upon her graduation from Bryn Mawr Hospital Nursing School.  Betsy went on to serve as an operating room nurse at Bryn Mawr Hospital and subsequently, a cardiac intensive care nurse at Chestnut Hill Hospital.  However, Betsy chose to depart her nursing career to pursue her true passion of building a beautiful family with her husband John.  One could say she was genetically encoded to be an amazing mother to her children Jay, Andy and Lindsey.  She never missed a sports game or performance and was quite literally a force of nature with so much strength, loyalty, work ethic and fierce dedication, helping to shape her children and grandchildren.

Betsy matched the same love and commitment to her children with her six siblings and many dear friends.  She was eager for a challenge and was the rock that led family and friends through difficult times.  After having her children, Betsy became the school nurse at the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and quickly involved herself in multiple charities for The Agnes Irwin School The Haverford School, and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  Betsy was also deeply involved with her friends' local charities and surrounded herself with people who had the same passion for generously helping others.

After her children were grown, Betsy enrolled at the Villanova University Nursing School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  As her children graduated from college and pursued careers in New York City, she served on the Board of Trustees of The Agnes Irwin School, and became the Chairwoman of Golf, Head of Food and Beverage and served on the Board of Governors at the Philadelphia Country Club.  Her final act of service to the community was her appointment to the Board of Trustees of the Lankenau Hospital and Lankenau Institute for Medical Research (LIMR).  She loved the Philadelphia community, and they loved her for her tireless commitment to better neighborhoods where she spent her entire life.

Betsy was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and was the daughter of Mary Javoronok Mahoney and Charles Michael Mahoney, a prominent residential builder on the Main Line.  She is survived by her husband John, son Andy, daughter Lindsey, grandson Jack, grandson Michael, granddaughter Campbell and five Mahoney siblings and their spouses.  Sadly, her oldest son, Jay, passed away in 2023 and the Wilkins family finds solace that they are now reunited.

A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday September 17th at 12:00 PM at the Sanctuary at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. Interment is private.

While Betsy adored flowers, she would prefer donations made to LIMR at the following link: https://giving.mainlinehealth.org/ways-to-give/lankenau-institute-for-medical-research