Betsy Ann Opalewski

With broken hearts we share that our beloved mother, Betsy, passed away on April 29, 2025.

Our mom was a force: brilliant, loving, determined, and endlessly generous. She carried herself with quiet strength and grounded wisdom, always balancing sharp intellect with deep compassion. Her love was not just felt, it was lived. She showed up, every single time, with unwavering support and a fierce belief in who we were and who we could become.

She raised us to be strong, thoughtful, and brave. Instilling in us the importance of education, of thinking deeply and loving fully. She celebrated our wins and stood steady in our storms. She taught us that being a woman meant being resilient and kind, determined and curious, honest, and hopeful.

Her role as a grandmother brought her so much joy. She gave her grandchildren the same boundless love, encouragement, and a thoughtful presence. Watching her with them was like watching an expert at work, tender, wise, and completely in her element.

She touched many lives beyond our family. Hearing from her friends some lifelong, others newer but just as cherished confirmed what we always knew: our mom was deeply loved for who she truly was. Insightful. Witty. Compassionate. She had a way of making everyone feel seen and valued.

At the heart of her life was her marriage to our dad, Dan. For forty-eight years, they built a love that grounded and inspired us. Theirs was a partnership full of laughter and quiet strength. A connection that spoke louder than words ever could. Watching them together was to witness a love both ordinary and extraordinary rooted in everyday care and enduring through everything.

Losing her feels impossible. But her love, her strength, and her voice are stitched into the very core of who we are. She is and always will be our greatest teacher, our fiercest protector, and the heart of our family. We will carry her with us, always.