Betsie ten Boom
Betsie ten Boom | |
|---|---|
| File:Betsie Potrait.jpg Betsie (year unspecified) | |
| Born | Elisabeth ten Boom August 19, 1885 Amsterdam, Holland |
| Died | Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, Germany |
| Cause of death | Pernicious Anemia |
| Resting place | Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, Germany |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Other names | Know by family as Bep, Beppie |
| Citizenship | The Netherlands |
| Education | Through local secondary school |
| Occupation(s) | Bookkeeper, homemaker |
| Employer(s) | Father, Casper ten Boom |
| Known for | Holocaust, The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom |
| Parent(s) | Casper ten Boom and Cornelia ten Boom |
| Website | Corrie ten Boom website |
Elisabeth ten Boom (1885-1944) was one of the leading characters in The Hiding Place, a book written by her sister Corrie ten Boom about the family's experiences during World War II . Nicknamed Betsie, she suffered with pernicious anemia from her birth. The oldest of five ten Boom children, she did not leave the family and marry, but remained at home until World War II .
Juvenile Pernicious Anemia
Betsie suffered with a special case of Pernicious anemia that starts in childhood, called juvenile Pernicious anemia (JPA). This case is (said to be) caused by a malfunction of the gastric juices of intrinsic factor during the nine weeks before birth. Betsie's illness prevented her from bearing children, so she chose, at a young age, not to marry.
Career and Education
Betsie worked side-by-side in the watchshop with her father Casper as a bookkeeper. Corrie later took over that role when Betsie caught the flu. Betsie was educated in the local primary and secondary school until the age of 16. She then remained home to work with her father and occasionally cook. After Corrie took over, Betsie began in housekeeping and continued to do so until 1944. Betsie ten Boom in 1900 (age 15)
1940-1944
During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, the family hid Jews in their home. The family was arrested for this. Betsie died in the Ravensbrück concentration camp on December 16, 1944, at the age of 59.
Faith
Her strong faith in God kept her from depression throughout her life and especially within the camps. A Calvinist by birth and choice, Betsie believed very strongly in comforting and helping others before herself. She helped Corrie to see the best in everything, no matter what the circumstance.
Betsie and her father, Casper, were honored in 2008 as Righteous Among the Nations.
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