Betsy Ann Berry

February 2, 1941 - April 19, 2025

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 NJ, 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 advisor to the Lily Foundation, providing grants that funded groundbreaking research and innovative programs in early childhood education throughout the US.

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, NH. 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, CA, her son, Ethan Nelson of New York, NY, her five grandchildren: Emily and Sophia Foster, Addison and Chase Nelson, and Tyler Nelson-White, and her three great-grandchildren: Jalani Anthony, Khari and Zaire Dawkins, her extended family, as well as her 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 for 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 to Vermont Public.