Betty Guy

1920 - 2016

Betty Guy obituary, 1920-2016, San Francisco, CA

Betty Guy Obituary

Betty Guy

Betty Guy, an enthusiastic, charming, loving, and delightful San Francisco native and resident, known worldwide for her remarkable watercolor and pen & ink landscape and cityscape paintings, passed away Friday, July 22, 2016.
Betty Guy was born in San Francisco on September 15, 1920, as the only daughter of Joseph and Fania Lipschutz. She was the first of her family born in the United States. Her parents and her three older brothers – George, Boris, and Irving – were immigrants from Vilnius, Lithuania.
She graduated from Lowell High School and later earned a bachelor's degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University. She gained expert-level mastery of many forms of visual arts through graduate courses at the University of California, Berkeley, the Art's Student League in New York, and the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in Paris, France.

San Franciscans became more aware of her wonderful watercolors and her skills as a landscape artist at her first museum exhibit of San Francisco scenes at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor on December 15, 1961. Her exhibit was called "the most delightful show of the year" by San Francisco Chronicle art critic Alfred Frankenstein.

Betty Guy was justifiably proud that her work has been shown all over the world with a U.S. Department of State endorsement as notable American artist. While the international appreciation of her watercolors enabled her to earn a living as an artist and see virtually every corner of the world, the love affair she had with her home town was the most gratifying and rewarding aspect of her long and productive career. One example of her iconic status in San Francisco art was when Queen Elizabeth II visited San Francisco with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in the 1980s, her Highness was presented with a Betty Guy painting as a gift from the Port of San Francisco. The Port Director was sent a letter from Buckingham Palace that read, "Thank you for the splendid painting by Betty Guy… the picture will always awaken some very happy memories of their stay in your lovely city."

Betty Guy's loving and observant depictions of San Francisco and other major cities all over the world were also the reasons she gained special commissions as a commercial artist for many companies based in the City and organizations that comprise the Fine Arts community. She was the resident artist for Gump's for more than three decades, painting the wonders of San Francisco on coasters and paintings. These always sold out at Christmas time. Similar mutually beneficial outcomes came from postcards and stationary items featuring prestigious San Francisco hotels (The Mark Hopkins, Fairmont and Stanford Court), the Japanese Tea Gardens, Grace Cathedral, Bank of America, Transamerica, UCSF and French Hospital Medical Centers, the Port of San Francisco, and Royal Viking Cruise lines. Her support and contributions to the city's fine arts includes posters and program covers for the San Francisco Symphony and her unique status as the "Resident Artist" for the San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Ballet.

Her sketching and her world-class photography skills were expressed through her deep love for the Opera. While she once let slip that Jose Carreras was one of her favorite Opera singers, every major star over several decades has been included in her etchings and photography portfolios of autographed portraits. The Pat Clark Art Collection in Iowa Falls owns a beautiful triptych etching titled, "Two Sopranos and a Ballerina" which consists of three signed etchings featuring mezzo soprano Marilyn Horne, the late soprano Beverly Sills, and former prima ballerina Cynthia Gregory. She was pleased that The Washington Opera Guild at the John F. Kennedy Center and the New Haven Symphony had her work on posters and programs Prominent recipients of Betty Guy's work include Plácido Domingo and the late Gianni Versace, and Luciano Pavarotti.

Betty's skill as a story teller was well known via all the cards and letters she sent to family and friends during her travels. Her literary prowess can be seen by all since her long friendship with Elaine and John Steinbeck inspired her in 1992 to write and publish "Surprise for Steinbeck," now in prestigious library collections.

Betty Guy had no children of her own and "adopted" her nephews and nieces. She gifted to all a love of the fine arts, an appreciation for other cultures of the world through her travels, and the ideal to give back to our communities as a thank you for the blessings bestowed upon us.

She is survived by her nephew Thomas Schulz, wife Nancy, and their three children –Heather, husband Jim and son, Benjamin; Jason and son, Cauley and his mother Tiffany Wilcher; and Peter; her niece Loma Schulz; her niece Joy Temes, husband Jose, and their two children –Julian and partner Paulina Gruszczynski, and Laura ("Sissy"), husband Timothy O'Leary and daughter, Sofia; her nephew David Lipschultz and wife Ann Cordova; her nephew John Schulz, wife Barbara, and their daughter Abigail, son Phillip ("Chuck") and his mother Anne Benoit; her niece Barbara Schulz; her niece Michelle Schulz; and her niece Joann Klein, husband Gordon and daughter, Adrienne and grandson, Andrew George. The family thanks her caregivers, Dece, Joji, and Imelda for their almost 2 years of loyal and devoted service that enabled Betty's wish to spend her remaining days with us at her home.

Services will be celebrated at Sinai Memorial Chapel in San Francisco at 11:00 am on August 2, 2016. Immediately following the burial there will be a Reception at Guild Hall, Congregation Emanu-El, 2 Lake St, San Francisco.


Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jul. 27 to Aug. 1, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
for Betty Guy

Not sure what to say?





PK Moy

Friend

July 21, 2020

PK Moy

Friend

July 21, 2020

PK Moy

Friend

July 21, 2020

PK Moy

Friend

July 21, 2020

PK Moy

Friend

July 21, 2020

PK Moy

Friend

July 21, 2020

A friend from my employment on Capitol Hill with Vice President Humphrey's staff in 1968 gave me a Paris cityscape by Betty Guy titled "Rue de Chappe - Paris!" for a wedding gift February 1969. I have treasured it all these years. God bless you Betty Guy as your work has blessed the world. Helene Houston Hutchins 2018

Helene Hutchins

June 9, 2018

I am so wealthy to have met Ms Guy and purchased some of he European scenes/watercolors for my family
We will all cherish her works and have having the opportunity to visit w/ her in person
She was a talent and a character
Bless you, ms Guy
Love you, Gypsy and Fletcher Beggs
Ps
I remembered her art from Gumps in late 60's and 70's and found her in 90's while in Palo Alto living there.
She was feisty but a real talent! Her art is treasured

Gypsy Beggs

September 13, 2017

I first met Betty in 1960 whilst youth Hostelling in Italy. We immediately struck up a friendship which lasted all her life. Our visits to San Francisco were, sadly, few & far between, but we did meet up when she came to London, & when I attempted to take up Watercolour painting as a hobby she was full of ideas. She gave & we bought several of her paintings which my husband & I treasure. I am so sad to hear of her death & send my condolences, late though they are, to her family.

Sylvia Ring

August 20, 2017

Betty was my landlady for 6 years (1979-85) at her place in Bernal Heights; we lived on the main floor of her house. She was so delightful and inspirational, and for years after I left her place for LA and beyond, we exchanged holiday cards. I was so happy I was able to spend time with her over tea a few years ago. We had a best visit, there in my old flat that she had moved into (as she had always planned). My heart goes out to all who loved her; she was a very special woman.

Teresa Book

December 25, 2016

When I stayed at B&B in Brighton I saw a wonderful watercolour painting on the wall: Brighton Palace Pier by Betty Guy. Overhwelming.I wrote down her address and just recently learned she passed away. So sorry! Wished I had met her.

Love and best wishes for her famely!
N.B.
Herewith the photo I made from the Pier she painted !

Guurtje Wink

October 1, 2016

Claudia Eshoo

August 17, 2016

I will forever miss Betty's wit and wisdom and the countless stories she told about her travels in and around Europe. My husband and I enjoyed taking Betty to lunch at Eric's and the museums she loved. One day in July of 2014 we had lunch together and when we went back to her home Betty had us look through the piles of paintings so we could choose a favorite for ourselves. The one we chose is a watercolor that was created on the morning of August 9, 1974, at the home of Thaddeus Crenshaw III, an American living in Paris at 25 Rue de Lille. We loved our choice and it is especially fitting that we were engaged in San Francisco on the day that it was completed and it was also my birthday. I didn't even realize the coincidence
until we read the date she had signed so many years before. Thank you Betty for making this world a more beautiful place.

Claudia

August 17, 2016

The last time we saw each other, in mid-July, Betty was full of love and life...I reminded her that it was she who gave me my very first birthday present (painted two months before my birth), a painting of a carousel in the Tuileries gardens in late fall.
She asked that I bring the painting to show her for our next visit, but it was not to be....Betty, I will now always feel your presence when I lose myself in your autumn of Paris.

Brian Zailian

August 6, 2016

Betty was a genuinely vibrant and beautiful person. Her friendship to my beloved aunts was one they cherished every moment of their lives. The world is a better place for Betty having been a part of it. My love to Betty's family and friends. Holding you all in my heart.

Laura Judd

August 5, 2016

I only learned of Betty's death today, the day of her funeral. I am grateful to have gotten the word and to be living close enough (1.5 hours away!) to hop in the car and make it there for the service and burial. It was an exquisite send off - thank you to those of you who gave voice to your experience of Betty. Each of you spoke an element of my knowing of her as well...she knew me my entire life and I felt myself among those "adopted" by her. A great light has gone out, for sure, and her eyes shine on in the many paintings of hers I'm honored to own and treasure.

If someone could post an email or snail mail address for a family member to whom a note can be sent, please do. My sister and I both would like to reach out further. Thank you and wishing the family grace and strength in the days and weeks ahead.

Taya Levine

August 2, 2016

Met my nieghbor Betty abt 35 yrs ago on Ripley St. & was taken by her Luv of life & swimming!'

Even after moving to Sebastopol we still kept in touch via fone & an occasional visit!!!

She also painted "Biew of SF fr Ripley" & gave it to me!!

Soooooo lucky to have know her!!!

Jim Kelly

August 2, 2016

Betty Guy was like a character from a novel. Her experience and exuberance for life was apparent the first moment you met her. We stayed with her in her beautiful house just before my first trip to Europe and I will always feel lucky to have shared that time with her and hear her stories, even though I was too young then to appreciate it as I do now. Her beautiful paintings are hung up on my wall and bring the beauty of San Francisco and my favorite city, Paris, into my life every day.

Jordan Fowler

August 1, 2016

What an honor it was to meet this special lady. Even almost moved in to her awesome home several years back. What an inspiration she is to those who choose to live lives that subvert the dominant paradigm. Her art is and will always be a spectacular, priceless part of her soul that she has gifted to the world. Bless her and her courageous heart. My sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones.

Rayna Brand

July 30, 2016

Betty Guy was one of the most delightful people I have ever met. Being with her was pure joy. I met her many years ago through my dear friends Henrietta Harris and Joyce Jackson. We had lunches and dinners together and we always had tea and cake or cookies when I visited her in her home. Betty regaled us with fascinating stories of her life and her travels. She had seen the world, and she enjoyed sharing her experiences with others. Betty told me that she loved babies, and I loved sharing photos of my four grandbabies with her.
Betty's work, which is displayed in our San Francisco home and in the home of our son Chris and his wife Natalie in Washington, DC, is and always will be treasured by our family along with our fond memories of Betty.
--Brenda Drake

Brenda Drake

July 30, 2016

Betty was one of a wonderful kind. Over our 40 year friendship there were many joyful times and her cheerful persona will not be going way.

Suzanne Turley

July 30, 2016

Loved her. Love her beautiful artwork. I'm so fortunate to be surrounded by it at home. She was one of a kind!

Patricia Kristof Moy

July 29, 2016

Besides Betty's many art talents, she was a daily swimmer, for decades, and until quite recently, at our local Garfield pool.

Betty always arrived early, maybe by 6:30 AM and greeted Us, her swim buddies, in the women's locker room. From there, dressed in swimsuit, Betty progressed to the pool deck to size up the waters and chat with our beloved life guards. Next came Betty Guy's legendary morning ritual--the one forever etched in all our memories: Betty's determined stride to the far end of the pool, a short pause...and then Splash!... her perfect dive into the waters!

We early morning swimmers, with Betty, are like family, in our deeply bonded friendship. We have all missed her in these last few years, but Betty is always in our hearts. We love her, and always will. Us Fish are like just that...

Jane Willson

July 29, 2016

We have beautiful paintings of the San Francisco Opera house by Betty Guy at our desks. She will be missed.

July 28, 2016

We are all broken-hearted to hear of Betty's passing. Betty had an extended family here at San Francisco Opera and she is greatly missed. She will be happily remembered not only by the staff and crew of the Opera but the thousands of attendees who knew her work which was synonymous with the War Memorial Opera House. The sky itself could not compare to the colors in her paintings - what a wonderful artist.

Jay Stebley

July 28, 2016

July 28, 2016

A wonderful person never to be forgotten.

Fred Cain

July 28, 2016

My condolences. Betty Guy was an amazing lady and I feel priviledged to have met her. Rest in peace.

Paul Tortora

July 28, 2016

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