BETSY TAPIA

BETSY TAPIA Betsy Tapia, born June 4, 1949, died on October 12 after a brief illness. Betsy taught English at St. Michael's High School in Santa Fe for over 30 years. As a teacher she was considered exceptionally demanding, but was a favorite among students because she inspired each one to live up to his or her potential. In the early 1970s, Betsy lived in Muskogee, OK, and worked as a community organizer for public health, recreation, and at-risk youth advocacy. She earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Santa Fe in 1978, and in 1994 earned a master's degree from St. John's College. Prior to St. Michael's, she taught at Questa Elementary School as well as Cristo Rey School; she also worked as a rape crisis counselor in Las Vegas, NM. Betsy loved to read, a hobby nurtured at a young age by her mother. She also wrote short stories and poetry. She was named to the National Honor Roll of Outstanding American Teachers in 2007. Ms. Tapia dedicated her life to helping young people as an educator and mentor, and also served as confidant and mentor to her friends and colleagues. Through her rigorous writing assignments- which often required deep introspection- her careful guidance through class discussion, and her gentle nature, she was a teacher who truly changed and improved her students' lives. Betsy was preceded in death by her father, Tony Tapia Jr.; her mother, Virginia Tapia; and her nephew, Aaron. She is survived by her daughters: Monique and Desirae; sister, Kathy Tapia; brothers: David Tapia, Steve Tapia and Robert Tapia; nieces: Jessica, Leticia, Felicia; and nephew, Joshua Tapia. A Rosary will be held Wednesday, October 17, at 7 p.m. at the Tipton Gymnasium at St. Michael's High School, 100 Siringo Road. The Funeral Mass will be Thursday, October 18, at 10 a.m. in the Tipton Gym at St. Michael's with a reception to follow in the Perez-Shelly Gym. A scholarship fund in Betsy Tapia's name is being established at St. Michael's High School. The family requests gifts be made to the scholarship fund in lieu of flowers. Donations can be sent to St. Michael's High School, 100 Siringo Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87505.