Elizabeth (‘Betsy’) Laidlaw Cochran

On July 2, 2022, Elizabeth (‘Betsy’) Laidlaw Cochran, of Dorset, VT, formerly of Shushan, NY and Plainfield, NJ, passed away at the age of 82 after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure with her family at her side. Greatly beloved by family and friends, Betsy was known for her sweet kindness and radiant smile, diverse artistic abilities, love of history, travel, and gardening. Her passion for daily hikes with her dogs through trails Betsy created and maintained behind her house was the highlight of her day. What Betsy valued and treasured above all else was her family, and this was evident in her unwavering devotion as a wife, mother, and grandmother, “Mimi.” Her love of the outdoors took root as a child at the family farm in Sparta, NJ, and a family camp in the Adirondacks. She graduated from The Hartridge School in Plain-field, NJ, Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH, and the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA. Betsy pursued a successful career as an artist for decades, selling to the likes of Macy’s, Country Living, and The Women’s Exchange, to name just a few. She is survived by her husband, Reverend Fergus Cochran, and her children, Mark Douglas (Lisa) of Exeter, NH, Henry Carter (Elena) of Sunderland, VT; her siblings, Evelyn Laidlaw Carter (Mac) of Lebanon, NJ, and Henry Bell Laidlaw III (Cathy), of Camden, ME, and her grandchildren, Mark (‘Brick’) Henry, Elizabeth (‘Lily’) Lee, Sophia Elizabeth, Byron Fergus and many loved nieces, nephews, and their children. Her family is so appreciative of the medical care that she received at SVMC in Bennington, VT. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to the Southern Vermont Art Center online at www.svac.org/make-a-donation. Betsy’s family will hold a celebration of her life Friday, September 23, at 11:00 AM at the United Church of Dorset.