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Brayer, Elizabeth B.
Brighton: Elizabeth (Betsy) Bashore Brayer (1933-2017) passed away peacefully on November 1 surrounded by her five children. She is survived by Sarah Brayer (Masato Fujiwara) of Kyoto, David (Beatriz) Brayer of Miami, Dr. Anne Brayer of Rochester, Jennifer Brayer of Brooklyn, and Caroline (Robert) Ebby of Wynnewood, PA; and ten grandchildren: Oliver, Harriett, Nicholas, Olivia, Jordi, Louisa, William, Eleanor, Nathan and Gabriela; her brother, Frederick S. Bashore; many nieces and nephews; and a wide circle of friends. She is predeceased by her husband of 57 years, George Sheldon Brayer. Her parents were Sterling F. Bashore and Louise Hay Bashore of Pottsville, PA.
Betsy was an accomplished writer, local historian and artist throughout her life. She authored numerous works on the history, art and architecture of Rochester. She wrote the definitive biography of George Eastman, for which she was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Her interest in George Eastman began with a 43-part series called Mr. Eastman Builds a House for the Brighton Pittsford Post. She also wrote and published many books about prominent Rochester institutions including the Memorial Art Gallery, Eastman Dental Center, and the Eastman Theatre. More recently, she published several booklets to showcase her vast knowledge of local history. Betsy never stopped writing, just days ago finishing her newest publication, Kodak Girls and Eastman Ladies.
A native of Wilmington, Delaware, Betsy graduated from Mount Holyoke College. After a brief stint in Key West, she and Shel moved to Rochester in 1956. While raising five children in Brighton, she worked as the editor of the Arts Council of Rochester's newsletter Scene and later as arts writer, critic, and editor for the Brighton Pittsford Post. Betsy shared her expertise as a volunteer for many local community organizations, including the Memorial Art Gallery, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Landmark Society and the George Eastman House. She was an avid supporter of arts and cultural institutions in Rochester. A member of the Board of Managers of the Memorial Art Gallery since 1978, she was also a docent and served on the Art Committee. She was a founding member of the Historic Preservation Commission of Brighton and served as the editor of Historic Brighton News. A notable speaker, she was often invited to share her vast knowledge through presentations and lectures. She was recognized as a George Eastman Honorary Scholar and was named a Remarkable Rochesterian by the Democrat and Chronicle. In recognition of her many contributions, the City of Rochester proclaimed October 22, 2010 to be Elizabeth Brayer Day.
Betsy was a talented artist and loved to travel. She was an avid painter and later took up silversmithing. After raising her family, she traveled with Shel to all corners of the globe. In 1982, she took a bike trip in China where she painted watercolors of the Great Wall and the mountains of Guilin. Many of her watercolors were inspired by her travels and her family. In 1988, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by touring Tibet with her family. In addition to her many accomplishments, Betsy will be remembered by her family and friends for her creativity, wit, and generosity.
A celebration of Elizabeth's remarkable life and legacy will be held Tuesday, December 26th, 2 - 5 PM at the Memorial Art Gallery's Vanden Brul Pavilion, 500 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607. Those wishing may donate to the Elizabeth Brayer endowment at the Memorial Art Gallery or to the George Eastman Museum House Restoration Fund, www.eastman.org/donate. To share a memory of Elizabeth or send a condolence to the family visit www.anthonychapels.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Anthony Funeral & Cremation Chapels - Brighton.
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