Betty Lansdowne

Betty Gwin Lansdowne



Betty Gwin Lansdowne died on December 23, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer, with her husband John Lansdowne at her side. She is survived by their son, DeAndre Lansdowne and his wife, her niece Kimberley Cusimano, and nephews Louis Cusimano and Curtis Cusimano. She was preceded in death by her sister Linda Cusimano. Betty was born July 29, 1945, to Joan and John Gwin of Connersville, Indiana. She attended DePauw University (BA in Education) and Pacific Oaks College (MA in Early Childhood Education).

Betty had a passion for supporting DeAndre in his professional basketball career in Europe and watched every game she could, either online or in person in Germany, Italy, and France. She was his biggest fan.

Betty was a luminary in early childhood education where for decades, her values and deep belief in children generated a light that now lives on through the impact she had on many children, families, educators, and other professionals. She was a highly respected early childhood advocate beloved by partners throughout the state of New Mexico, as well as by colleagues who were fortunate to work alongside her. Betty understood the wonder and joy of childhood, always bringing appreciation for who children are and their unlimited potential. She keenly understood and had a special place in her heart for children who communicated through defiance and challenging behaviors, successfully showing others how to see and value children's strengths as essential assets that will help them learn and grow.

Betty worked with children with challenging behaviors in Colorado and with the Child Find and Homeless programs in Albuquerque Public Schools. She served as a model teacher of inclusive preschool special education creating engaging environments and leading a team of professionals to effectively embed educational and therapeutic interventions into the daily routines of a classroom. Teachers were brought to her classroom to observe and study her practices. She continued mentoring others through her many years with the Preschool Network at the UNM Center for Development and Disability. She supported preschool special education and inclusive services statewide, traveling to New Mexico communities to work with Special Education Directors, Principals, Early Childhood Educators, Therapists, and Early Childhood Transition Teams.

Betty also modeled what it means to be a curious, ongoing, life-long learner. She made an in-depth study of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, traveling to Italy and schools in the United States to observe, question, and learn. Betty used this knowledge and experience in her work as a board member of the Christina Kent Early Childhood Center, providing instruction and mentoring to directors and educators.

Betty gave generously of her time as an active volunteer who always showed up and took the time to also recruit others to get involved. She volunteered at the Santa Fe Children's Museum when it was first getting started and participated in accomplishing many shared goals through the Albuquerque Public Schools Early Childhood Collaborative. Betty was a long-standing member and past board treasurer of the New Mexico Association for the Education of Young Children (NMAEYC) where she also helped coordinate numerous statewide conferences, providing several presentations that added to NMAEYC success. Betty was an active Volunteer Play Advocate with UNM Family Development Program's Wemagination Center and served as one of their facilitators of the Mind in the Making training series for many years.

Many people treasure Betty as a wonderful friend who had a great sense of humor and who lived life with joy, adventure, and infectious curiosity. She had a global view of the world and loved to explore ideas and look for ways to bridge differences, whether hiking with girlfriends or just through her ongoing study of how to strengthen divides. Betty is appreciated by those who know her as someone who takes a real interest in your life and who gives generously of herself as a valued friend.

At her request there will be no memorial service. Instead there will be a Celebration of Life event held later this year. Donations in her honor to Christina Kent Early Childhood Center would be appreciated.