March 20, 1961 – June 27, 2026
Elizabeth "Betsy" Doris (Bowden) Avenia, 65, of Leawood, Kansas passed peacefully on Saturday, June 27, 2026, after a courageous battle with lung cancer. Betsy is survived by her two children: Spencer D. Avenia and Kendall P. Avenia; her siblings: Linda K. Bowden and Benjamin W. Bowden; her niece and grandnephews: Whitney E. Asbury (Beauregard), Carter R. Asbury and Logan C. Asbury.
Betsy was a graduate of Cushing Academy, class of 1979, and attended Johnson & Wales University where she earned a B.A. in Hotel/Restaurant Management. She was a consummate professional when it came to client-relations. Everywhere she worked couldn’t run without her.
She moved to Leawood, KS in 1993 where she started her family by welcoming her son, Spencer, and daughter, Kendall. The joy of her life was raising her two children, and she was a full-time mom before returning to work with the other love of her life, animals, at State Line Animal Hospital. She spent 15 years with State Line and made lifelong connections with both clients and staff. She was the person you hoped would answer the phone when calling to make your appointment. Betsy knew everyone’s pet’s name and what their ailment was and, she went above and beyond to help make it better.
In 2025, she joined Dr. Kimberly Hunt at her private practice, Chiro 4 Paws, where she continued working with her four-legged friends.
Betsy was a true creative and was always up for crafting and painting with Carter and Logan. She loved puzzles, nature and creating floral arrangements (and had the best collection of vases to prove it!) Anyone that knew Betsy knew she had the best sense of humor, and even through hard times laughter was always present.
One of her favorite family traditions in recent years was the annual Luminary Walk at the Overland Park Arboretum. Keeping with that tradition, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Gathering Place located at the Overland Park Arboretum on Thursday, July 9, 2026, beginning at 11am.
Private services will also be held at the West Boxford Cemetery in Massachusetts, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to the Overland Park Arboretum, KC Pet Project, or Kansas City Hospice.
