Betsy Mazursky

1926 - 2017

October 27, 1926 - September 29, 2017 Elizabeth "Betsy" Ann Mazursky died peacefully in her home with family by her side on September 29th in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 90.  She was born on October 27, 1926 in Louisville, Kentucky to the late Willard and Margaret Purdy.  She was predeceased by her her loving husband of 61 years, film director, writer, and actor, Paul Mazursky, and their daughter, Meg Mazursky.  Betsy graduated from Antioch College in the late 1940's with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences.  She also received a Masters Degree in Library Sciences at Pratt Institute in New York City. She worked as a librarian for many years, and later in life volunteered at the Beverly Hills Public Library. Over the years, Betsy's social justice activism and philanthropy have included such organizations as the LA Free Clinic, Liberty Hill Foundation, Planned Parenthood, National Farm Workers Association, IDEPSCA, and the Democratic National Party.  She was a volunteer counselor to senior citizens and their caregivers at the Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles as well as to low-income families at the Southern California Counseling Center. Betsy also worked with homeless teens and runaways for many years at the Teen Canteen in Hollywood, and in her later years was dedicated to teaching English to Spanish-speaking laborers at IDEPSCA's Hollywood Community Job Center, which was very dear to her heart. Betsy was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and a wonderful friend to many. Her kindness, humility, sense of humor and dedication to service has left an indelible mark on all those who knew her. She will be greatly missed.  She is survived by her daughter, Jill Mazursky; grandchildren Carly de Castro, Kate Brien Kitz, Molly Cody and Tommy Cody; and great-grandchildren Luca, Francesca and Emilia de Castro.  A memorial service has not yet been scheduled. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Planned Parenthood.