Obituary of Betty Jane Metzner

Betty Jane Metzner, B.J., made her transition at Cortland Regional Nursing Home on Friday, July 27, 2012. Betty was born in Colorado Springs, CO in 1922 and attended Syracuse schools, graduating from Nottingham High with honors. She received an A. A. degree from Virginia Intermont College. She was a scholarship winner, elected to scholarship honorary Phi Theta Kappa and speech honorary Phi Rho Pi, vice president of student government, member of the debate team and on the staff of yearbook and newspaper. In later years Betty was a member of the colleges board of directors. She received her A. B. degree from Duke University and was a member of the yearbook and newspaper staffs. Betty took graduate courses in personnel at the American University in Washington, D. C. and at the University of Bern, Switzerland. After graduation Betty worked on the staff of Commercial Attache at the American Embassy in Bern. She was an office administrator for the U.S. Operation Research Office in Chevy Chase, Md. and given assignments in Tokyo, Japan and Heidelberg, Germany. She was a regional director of fundraising for Wells Organization in Chicago for several years. While in Chicago, she also worked for Armour Research Foundation and directed training of the office staff at their laboratory in Bogota, Columbia. Moving back to Syracuse Betty was an administrative assistant with Allied Kennecott Titanium. In 1958 she was employed by Raytheon as office manager for the new Government Liaison Office in Washington, D. C.At Marriott Corporation headquarters in Washington, D.C., she was the legal administration assistant to the vice president in charge of real estate. Subsequently she became corporate assistant secretary. As such she was Marriott Corporations first female corporate officer, and dubbed by CEO Bill Marriott as his master sergeant. While living in Washington, she was vice president of the American Association of University Women, treasurer of Topside Aviation Club and member of the League of Women Voters. She greatly enjoyed her home in the Georgetown section of Washington and was a gracious hostess to visiting friends and family. B. J. was a voracious reader and world traveler. She has been to at least 128 countries. Betty was moved to an assisted living home in Charlotte, N.C., and later to Raleigh, N.C. under the loving care of her first cousin, once removed, Debra Roeder. B. J., is survived by her brother, Robert S. Metzner of Syracuse; Debra Roeder and family; and numerous second and third cousins and friends in the United States and in other countries. There will be no calling hours or funeral. There will be a private family burial in Cortland Rural Cemetery. Donations may be made to Cortland Rural Cemetery.