Elizabeth Hoyle (Penney) Daniels died peacefully at her home, Sea Pines, in Oak Bluffs on April 13. She was 96.

The daughter of Margaret Buckley Hoyle and Merrill I. Hoyle, she was born on June 17, 1924, and grew up on the Vineyard. After high school she moved to the Boston area, working for a time for the FBI. She married fellow Islander and high school sweetheart Robert A. Penney Sr.; they had two sons. They lived in Watertown and Wayland, but spent most summers on the Vineyard managing the Pequot House, their guest house in Oak Bluffs.

She later married Charles Daniels, who predeceased her. They lived in New Hampshire and Vermont where she obtained an associate degree and worked as an alcohol and drug counselor at the White River Junction VA Hospital and Serenity House in Wallingford, Vt. After retiring in 1990, she moved back to Oak Bluffs, became a valued member of the community, and lived there happily for the rest of her life.

Betty was proud of her 56 years of sobriety and was a leader in AA where she inspired and supported countless others. She was also active in the Friends of the Oak Bluffs Library and the Trinity Methodist Church. She will long be remembered for her faith, unfailing optimism and belief in the fundamental goodness of others.

She is survived by her sister Barbara Hoyle of Oak Bluffs; son Dr. Robert A. Penney Jr. and his wife Barbara Grothe-Penney of Middlesex, Vt.; daughter in law Linda Penney of Novato, Calif.; grandchildren Dr. R. Brendan Penney of Anderson, S.C., Colin Penney of Westerly, R.I., Eamon Penney of Middlesex, Vt., Kimberly Penney of El Cerrito Calif., Kevin Penney of Novato Calif.; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her first husband and lifelong friend Bob Penney of Oak Bluffs. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Dr. Merrill Cassius Hoyle, sister Margaret Hoyle, and son Jonathan D. Penney.

A brief interment service will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Oak Bluffs at 1 p.m. on April 24. A memorial service is being planned for August, followed by a reception where her many friends and family can share memories of Betty.

The family would like to thank Dr. Amar Luzic for helping her maintain remarkably good health during her later years, Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands for supporting her wish to remain at home, Cheryl Kram, R.N. and the VNA Hospice staff for their expertise and caring during her final weeks, Pastor Hyuk for spiritual support during an especially challenging year, and her many wonderful friends and neighbors for their many acts of kindness and generosity.

Donations can be made to Vineyard House, P.O. Box 4599, Vineyard Haven MA 02568 (vineyardhouse.org); or the United Methodist Church of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 2580, Oak Bluffs MA 02557 (umc-mv.org).