Noted horse owner Elizabeth (Betty) Ranney Moran passed away peacefully at home in Malvern, Pa., at age 89 on Jan.23.
Betty grew up at Brushwood Farm, a dairy farm in Willistown Township. She was an athlete who played first team in every sport at the Shipley School before going on to Mary Washington College in Virginia.
When it came to horses, she was involved in fox hunting and Pony Club at the Radnor Hunt Club. Her Brushwood stable fielded successful steeplechase and flat racing horses.
Major races won by horses from her Brushwood Stables included the Belmont Stakes (Crème Fraiche, 1985), the Pennsylvania Derby, the Arlington Million, the Jockey Club Gold Cup and England’s famed Grand National.
A member of the board for the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, Mrs. Moran also served as chair and co-chair of the Radnor Hunt Races. She was well known for her charitable efforts, particularly in Chester County, where they included Thorncroft therapeutic riding, Home of The Sparrow, Chester County Boy Scouts, the Barn at Spring Brook Farm, Community Volunteers in Medicine and the Chester County Food Bank. In addition, she was an honorary trustee of the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art.
The former Elizabeth Ranney is survived by five children: Michael Moran (Anne), Frances Abbott (Franny), Elizabeth Legnini (Bob), Ranney Moran (Terri) and Caroline Moran, who is well-known in the show horse world and for being an eventing syndicate member.
She also leaves 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Moran’s husband, James Maxwell Moran died in 1989 and her son, James Maxwell Moran Jr., died in 2008.
A celebration of her life will be held Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. at St. David’s Episcopal Church. 763 South Valley Forge Road, Wayne, Pa. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to Community Volunteers in Medicine (cvim.org) 300 Lawrence Dr, Suite B, West Chester, Pa 19380 or the Chester County Food Bank (chestercountyfoodbank.org) 650 Pennsylvania Dr., Exton, Pa 19341. Arrangements are by the Mauger Givnish Funeral Home in Malvern, Pa. www.maugergivnish.com.