Betsy
Ann Berry passed peacefully on April 19, 2025, at her home in South
Burlington, Vt., in the loving presence of her two children.
She
was born in Montclair, N.J., the only daughter of John N. Berry II
and Marian Chase Berry. Her early childhood was spent in New
Hampshire and on her family ranch in Burney, in Northern California,
where her most cherished childhood memories were forged. For the rest
of her life, she enjoyed a fondness for California poppies and the
vast open land and wild terrain that expanded to the striking profile
of Mount Shasta — a vision that forever captivated her imagination.
Following
her family’s return to New Hampshire, Betsy attended Wheelock
College in Boston, where she received her bachelor’s degree in
education. She married and had two children, raising them in
Burlington, Vt., as a member of the University of Vermont community,
with her then-husband, professor Garrison Nelson. She was a
kindergarten teacher at Williston Central School for nearly 20 years,
and over the years she enjoyed reconnecting with many of her former
students, who fondly recall their experience in Betsy’s
kindergarten. She was a mentor to education students and student
teachers at the University of Vermont. Later in her career, she
served as an adviser to the Lily Foundation, providing grants that
funded groundbreaking research and innovative programs in early
childhood education throughout the U.S.
She
was both a writer and appreciator of the written word, particularly
enjoying the poetry of Mary Oliver and Wisława
Szymborska, the spiritual writings of Eknath Easwaran and Eckhart
Tolle, as well as the poetry of her childhood friend of 75 years, Pat
Whitney of Sunapee, N.H. She also played guitar and was a lifelong
fan of the iconic folk musicians of the 1960s: Joan Baez; Judy
Collins; Peter, Paul and Mary; Odetta; and Pete Seeger.
She
is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shyla and Andrew Stewart
of Pasadena, Calif.; son, Ethan Nelson of New York City; five
grandchildren, Emily and Sophia Foster, Addison and Chase Nelson, and
Tyler Nelson-White; three great-grandchildren, Jalani Anthony, and
Khari and Zaire Dawkins; her extended family; and many cherished
friends, colleagues and students from her decades as an educator and
active member of her community. Her family was a source of deepest
joy and delight, and she loved being present to watch her
grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow up, embarking on
adventures of their own.
She
was predeceased by her beloved husband of 20 years, UVM history
professor Jeremy P. Felt, with whom she enjoyed many world
adventures; a shared love of the natural world and birding,
meditation and spirituality; and their community of creative,
kindred-spirit friends.
She
is lovingly remembered for her fierce, independent spirit; her love
for children and for teaching; her commitment to social justice; her
wry and playful sense of humor; her competitive Scrabble playing; and
her love of nature, especially Lake Champlain.
A
celebration of Betsy’s life will take place at the Unitarian
Universalist Society in Burlington, Vt., in the summer. Details will
be provided at a later time. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to
the Vermont Foodbank or Vermont Public.
This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2025.