Elizabeth Ware Harper, known as Betsy to friends and family, died peacefully on August 1.

Born May 31, 1923, in New York, she grew up spending her summers on the Vineyard. She attended Wheelock College in Boston, and became an elementary school teacher.

On June 14, 1947, she married William (Bill) Woodhouse Harper. Over the years, they moved to New Jersey, spent some years living in Florida and ultimately moved to San Diego, Calif. In California, Betsy became a preschool teacher for years, but in 1976 went to work for Sea World in San Diego. She worked in the merchandise department of Sea World for 33 years, enjoying the beauty of the park and the friendship of her coworkers. Betsy loved animals, in particular her cats, but to know Betsy, you would know that the real loves of her life were her three daughters and two grandchildren.

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Jack and Paul, her sister Anne and her husband Bill. She is survived by her sister Patricia Ware Vann of Vineyard Haven; her daughter, Wendy Ware Harper of San Diego; her daughter and son in law, Elizabeth (Libby) and Peter Caffall-Davis of Hyder, Alaska; daughter and son in law, JudyAnne Harper and Charles Snyder of San Diego; and her two grandchildren, Katherine (Katie) Snyder and Charles (Chuckie) Snyder of San Diego.

A celebration of Betsy’s life was held Friday, August 28 at the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church Chapel. Interment is planned for a later date at Oak Grove Cemetery in Vineyard Haven.

Memorial contributions may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000.