Betsy Kunkel

Betsy (Elizabeth) Kunkel ended a long battle with lung cancer on March 15th 2021 at the age of 67. She is survived by her adoring husband David Krawitz, cousin Phillip Winner, nephews Paul Kaplan and Roger Kunkel, stepchildren Jared and Noah Krawitz, brother and father in law Joshua and Herman Krawitz, sister in law Jean Kunkel, and a large circle of friends. She was predeceased by her parents Walter and Barbara Kunkel and her siblings Barbie and Roger Kunkel. Betsy was previously married to and lived in Auburn Alabama with William Ullery, also deceased. Betsy studied jazz piano at Berklee College of Music, where her classmate Pat Metheny wrote a song for her entitled Best Bets. She earned a second undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Kansas followed by a Masters and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University. She spent her career as a professor at Troy University and Southern Illinois University and as a therapist for underserved populations. In her role as Member Services Coordinator for the Boston Living Center she counseled clients living with HIV and AIDS. This included many who were additionally dealing with discrimination from identifying as LGBTQ, sex work, minority status, mental illness, experiencing homelessness and in some cases being shunned by family. Betsy found value in each client, celebrated what made each person special, helped them find dignity and touched their souls. On frequent walks all over Boston she was greeted regularly by people living on the streets who came up to hug her, to read her their latest poem, to update her on gossip, to talk about politics. Her home is replete with their artwork. Betsy lived with passion and gusto, jumping into new situations, embracing risk and betting on herself. She was a staunch atheist who found spiritual sustenance in nature, reveling in the wildflowers on a summer hike, always hunting for little pink elephants, marveling as a spider wove its web. Betsy was a skilled art quilter, designing her own patterns and crafting each work by hand. She was an avid gardener and a talented cook, constantly trying new recipes and exotic ingredients to expand culinary horizons. She was an untrained natural athlete, a graceful swimmer and a mountain goat on hiking trails. Some of her favorite days were spent whitewater kayaking on the Deerfield River followed by a walk on the Bridge of Flowers and dinner at a wonderful local bistro. Betsy relocated to Boulder with David in 2015 to start a new chapter in life. They designed and renovated a dream home, engaged in all manner of outdoor activities, enjoyed concerts at Chautauqua, Bands on the Bricks, the Conference on World Affairs, the International Film Festival, the Farmers Market. She loved hiking from her front door to Woods Quarry and looking out on the incredible beauty of this foothills paradise. Betsy and David joined the Boulder Newcomers Club shortly after arriving in Boulder and made a strong circle of friends through this wonderful organization. Betsy served in many volunteer roles including President, during which time she unfortunately received her cancer diagnosis. A celebration of life will be private. Please make donations in her name to the Freedom From Religion Foundation https://ffrf.org/ or the Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation https://ray ofhopecolorado. org/rocky-mountain-cancer-centers-fund/