Elizabeth Grace "Betty" Vermey

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Bryn Mawr College

Elizabeth Vermey Obituary

Vermey Elizabeth (Betty) Grace Died September 14, 2024 from complications of colon cancer. She was 88. Betty was born on the 13th of July, 1936 in Bussum, the Netherlands. She immigrated to the United States with her parents and three older sisters in 1939, settling first in Staten Island, NY. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Rudolf H. Vermey and Grace Korth Vermey, her sisters, Henriette Vermey Insinger, Margaret Mary Vermey Pierce, Constance A. Vermey Gasteyer, her nephew Chester Pierce, and grand-niece Kara K. Morrow Kovlakas. She is survived by her nieces and nephews: Loekie, Alice, Helen, Julia, Marjorie, Susan, James, Christine, Karl and Grace. There are also 16 grand nieces and nephews, and 28 great nieces and nephews, plus many cousins in the United States and the Netherlands. Special mention to her Bryn Mawr friends, her biggest family, to Rose Makofske, Jackie Aikins, David Silvera, Peggy McGarry, Collette Wood, Jocelyn Banks, Ann Sundt, Mary Pat McPherson, and so many others who spent her last days with her. Betty was a graduate of Bryn Mawr College Class of 1958. From 1965-1995 she was Director of Admissions Bryn Mawr College where she admitted over 6000 students to the college. In 1999 she retired as the director of Office for International Studies. She will be remembered for her love of family and friends, keeping close touch with them all and showering them with gifts, words of wisdom and hugs. She was dedicated to watching the evening news and supporting the democratic party. Betty traveled extensively, hiking in the Himalayas, and making solo treks into mid-east deserts, visiting family in the Netherlands, and making friends near and far. When at home, she hosted many evening parties, bringing people together with style and grace. She will be greatly missed by many. Her warm smile and laughter will remain in our hearts forever. Thank you to the Bryn Mawr hospital staff for all that you did to help in her comfort. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Bryn Mawr College designated to the Elizabeth G. Vermey Endowed Scholarship Fund. You can make a gift via the website www.brynmawr.edu/makeagift or contact [email protected] for assistance. Memorial Service information to be announced in Bryn Mawr college publications.

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Published by The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sep. 20, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Vermey

11 Entries

Alan Rosen

September 19, 2025

She trusted me, a male BMC graduate student, to vet undergraduate applicants. I liked her immediately and found it a pleasure to work for her.

Jocelyn A Banks (BMC '80)

September 18, 2025

I can't believe you've been gone a year, Betty. We were friends for over 40 years. I miss you and our friendship so much. I especially miss discussing national and international news with you, and I miss laughing about silly things with you too. My husband Frank thinks of you whenever he contemplates making his cheesecake, which you loved. We loved you then, and will love you forever. Rest in Peace, dear friend. We'll see you again by and by. - 9.18.2025

Alan Rosen

February 16, 2025

She was my boss for a couple of years when I worked part-time as an interviewer for undergraduate applicants, around 1970. I was a graduate student and the only male doing that. I loved that she hired and supported me, made me feel important and competent. Working with her was a pleasure. Thank you, Betty.

Leslie Kandell, Bryn Mawr College 1958

November 9, 2024

Oh Betty...."revecy venir du printemps." We had fun in our madrigal group. What a dutiful singer, lovely, sparkling person and perceptive friend. Honored to be invited for lunch in your home, which included trophies from your stops around the world, where you went to tell foreign students about a safe place for them to come and study.

Maarten Versteegh

September 28, 2024

Dear all,
Betty was a first cousin to my Mother, Elisabeth Henriette Versteegh-Vermeij who died in 2007.
I have met Betty first in 1971 when I was 16 and traveling in Norway for my brother Klaas' wedding, and was immidiately fond of her. Her smile and ever curiosity in anything.
I have been lucky to have visited her many times in the US whenever I was there for work. She always graced me with her hospitality and, like I said, het ongoing interest in whatever I was doing and thinking about just about everything.
I feel blessed to have known her and I'll remember her with all my heart.
Love to all of you

Diana Briton Putman

September 27, 2024

My condolences to the entire Vermey family. Betty was an extraordinary individual who will be missed by the thousands of women she admitted to Bryn Mawr College. She has been a constant in my life since she came to my high school in Switzerland in the spring of 1973 through her visit in April this year to my home in Carlisle, Pa. and our homes in Indonesia, Tunisia, Kenya and others. Her grace, style, wit and intellect provided a model of the modern woman for many of us to emulate. I still can't believe that she is no longer with us but I treasure all the wonderful times I had with her over the years. I am also grateful she was friends with both my husband and my daughter. Diana Putman (BMC '78)

Mara Feeney

September 23, 2024

I credit Miss Vermey-with her warmth, energy, creativity, and effectiveness -with finding a space for me at Bryn Mawr in the class of `73. It was a life changing moment for me. So glad I got to see her and tell her so at Reunion last year.

Robin Beckhard (BMC '79)

September 21, 2024

Betty Vermey was a remarkable person, a woman who shared her grace, elegance and warmth with thousands of Bryn Mawrters over the years. How in the world did she manage to greet me (and others, clearly) by name when our paths crossed on campus?

Ruth Ann Parish, MD (BMC `73)

September 20, 2024

Condolences to the entire Vermeer extended family. I worked as a Student Life Rep with Miss Vermey in my Junior and Senior years at BMC (1971-73), and visited with her briefly at my 50th Reunion in May 2023. She will be missed.

Lynn Rozental

September 20, 2024

I was part of a small group of high school seniors who met with Ms. Vermey at my boarding school, which she had attended. We were all quite taken with her stylishness and energy.
Amazingly, whenever our paths crossed on campus, she remembered my name -- so impressive! She must have been an amazing aunt and role model. To her family -- please know there are so many of us who remember her with fondness and admiration.

Tammie Bassford

September 20, 2024

With condolences to all who will miss her, with warm memories, and with gratitude. Tammie Bassford BMC 1979

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