Elizabeth Grace Uhlman (aka Betsy Brittan) was born on September 24, 1955 in Toledo, Ohio as the third child of Elizabeth Craig Uhlman and Frederick W. Uhlman, Jr. She passed away unexpectedly of natural causes on June 10, 2025.
Betsy spent her childhood in Bowling Green, Ohio where she was surrounded by her three siblings, the Uhlman/Nader cousins, and many friends. From a young age, Betsy loved athletic activities. Though opportunities for girls in sports were limited at the time, she swam competitively and excelled in track and field. Her long jump record at Kenwood Elementary School continues to stand after nearly 60 years. At Bowling Green High School, she was a founding member of the gymnastics team and a cheerleader.
Betsy attended Bowling Green State University her freshman year of college. A trip to Colorado that summer led her to enroll at the University of Denver for her sophomore year where she joined the university’s gymnastics team. She majored in physical education with a minor in math. Upon graduation in 1977, Betsy took a job in Hilo, Hawaii as a gymnastics instructor, but quickly returned to and remained in the Denver area for the rest of her life.
Betsy opened her own gymnastics school (Littleton School of Gymnastics) in 1979, which remained a popular gymnastics school in the area until selling it in 1996 so she could devote more time to her children and volunteer in their schools. She also volunteered as a soccer coach, Science Olympiad coach, and Sunday school teacher and was a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) for several years.
Betsy later returned to college to earn a master’s degree in secondary math education from the University of Denver. She taught math and was a substitute teacher in the Littleton Public School District. She had just completed another year of subbing when she passed away at age 69.
Betsy loved to exercise; cycling, swimming, and hiking were her passions after her knees forced her to give up running and skiing. She competed in many athletic endeavors, including Ride-the-Rockies, Triple Bypass, Half Ironman, and numerous other triathlons and cycling events. She was preparing for her next triathlon when an undetected medical condition took her life. She enjoyed the adventure of traveling to new places, reaching all six inhabited continents and over 35 countries. She was an avid reader who enjoyed time with her book club.
Best of all, Betsy was a wonderful wife and mother, as well as a very kind, warm, compassionate, and intelligent person who had a sincere interest in other people and their well-being. She truly made this world a better and more fun place. She was, indeed, loved by everyone who knew her.
Betsy is preceded in death by her parents. She is greatly missed by her husband of 38 years John Brittan and her children J.B. Brittan and Grace Brittan. She is also survived by her siblings Jane (Sean) Maxfield, Bill (Rachel Westlake) Uhlman, and Jim (Susan) Uhlman as well as her cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and numerous friends.
A celebration of Betsy’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 13th at Ashley Ridge in Littleton CO. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of her life may be sent to the Denver CASA organization (DenverCASA.org).
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