Betsy Joan Vanleit December 2, 1956 - January 8, 2025 We bid

Betsy Joan Vanleit December 2, 1956 - January 8, 2025 We bid farewell to our beloved Betsy, who passed away in Ojai, California, on January 8, 2025. Betsy made a lasting impact on the world. Through her work and interaction with others, she planted seeds that continue to grow, and her legacy remains woven into the many people and organizations she touched. As an active student and practitioner of Buddhism, Betsy taught and led others through her example. Truth, wisdom, gratitude, compassion and caring formed the core of her life. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, after high school Betsy went to live on a kibbutz in Israel for a year, working in a fruit orchard. Returning to the states, she fell in love with and married Mark Vanleit. Betsy then went back to school and earned undergraduate degrees in Environmental Education (University of Oregon), Occupational Therapy (University of Washington), and a Ph.D. in community health education (University of New Mexico). She worked for the US Forest Service in the woods of the northwest, then as an occupational therapist in a variety of mental health and geriatric settings. In 1993 she moved to Albuquerque and became a professor at the University of New Mexico. There she was a well loved and respected teacher and colleague, co-developing, directing, and teaching a wide range of higher education programs. She worked with communities around New Mexico to address a variety of health needs, including food and housing insecurity. During this period Betsy also worked overseas for a year in Cambodia and for a month in Rwanda, addressing needs of people with disabilities. Around this time, she and her husband Mark decided to divorce, but remained good friends. After retiring, Betsy moved to Ojai in 2020 to be closer to her parents. Believing strongly that the most impactful work happens at the local level, Betsy began volunteering for a number of local organizations. As a Master Gardener, she helped maintain the ARC garden of Ventura County. As a FoodForward volunteer, she harvested fruit in backyards or abandoned orchards that was then donated to non-profits including Friends of Fieldworkers and Help of Ojai. She helped to restart gleaning at the Ojai Sunday Farmer's Market, and donated the 400-500 pounds of produce per week to Help of Ojai. She then helped run the Food Pantry at Help of Ojai twice a week that distributes free food to local residents in need. She felt it was wonderful seeing good quality produce go to folks who couldn't afford to buy it. One of Betsy's biggest sources of joy was found in nature and the outdoors. In addition to regular hikes with friends on local trails, she assisted ecosystem restoration projects and the Rewild Ojai Initiative with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC), and served on the OVLC Board of Directors. She also served on the board of directors for Ojai Trees and assisted efforts to strengthen the tree canopy in Ojai. Betsy also served on the Ojai Valley Green Coalition (OVGC) Board of Directors, helping the City of Ojai and community members to create a master planning process for the 8-Acre City Campus Property by City Hall. In addition, Betsy recently served on the informal City Homelessness Taskforce, assisting with efforts to provide permanent supportive housing to those currently living in the Tent Town by City Hall, and volunteered regularly to help support residents living in the tents. Once a week, with help from other volunteers, she cooked dinner for the residents there. In recognition of her many contributions, Ojai Rotary is awarding her their Humanitarian Award of the Year. Betsy is survived by her parents, Arthur and Judy Vander of Ojai; brother Eugene Vander (wife Sheila and niece Sarah and nephew Paul); sister Jessica Mann (husband Arnie and nephews Evan and Ben); and of course, her beloved cat, Kitty. Donations can be made in honor of Betsy to the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Ojai Valley Green Coalition, Help of Ojai, or Ojai Trees.