Elisabetta "Betty" Pierazzo

Elisabetta "Betty" Pierazzo passed away at her home in Tucson, Arizona on May 15, 2011. She was taken from us far too soon at age 47. Betty was a Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute in Tucson. She was an expert in the area of impact modeling and on the astrobiological and environmental effects of impacts on Earth and Mars. She was also an expert on Meteor Crater in Arizona and made several appearances on national and international broadcasts of programs including National Geographic specials. In addition to her science, Betty passionately promoted science education and public outreach. She took time away from her successful research career to teach classes in astrobiology and science at the University of Arizona, she developed interactive websites and impact rock and meteorite kits for classroom use, and created professional development workshops for elementary and middle-school science teachers. Betty arrived in the United States in 1989 from Italy and the following year attended graduate school at the Department of Planetary Sciences at the University of Arizona. She handled the difficulties of living in a foreign country by opening her house and her kitchen to others. She received her Ph.D. in 1997, and the quality of her graduate work was recognized by the University of Arizona with the Gerard P. Kuiper Memorial Award. She was cherished by very many people for her staunch friendship and support. She inspired countless people as a colleague, teacher, mentor and friend. Her loss is great to all those who knew her and worked with her. She is survived by her husband, Keith Powell from Tucson, AZ; her mother, Maria Scattolin and her brother, Flavio Pierazzo both from Noale, Italy. A Viewing will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2011 at EVERGREEN MORTUARY, 3015 North Oracle Road. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2011 at St. Thomas the Apostle Chapel, 5150 N. Valley View Rd.