Betty W. Cornish

Betty W. Cornish, beloved wife, mother, and cousin passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, surrounded by loving family, friends, and caregivers of the Seabury Community.

Betty was born on July 10, 1936, in Harlem, NY, daughter of the late Edna and John Williams, and lived most of her life in the Windsor-Bloomfield area, serving her community as an artist and educator. She earned a BFA at Boston University, as well as an M.A.Ed. and M.Ed. from the University of Hartford. She taught art in the Bloomfield public schools, and then art and art education at CCSU. She was instrumental and active, with some other faculty and students, in bringing about a major transformation in that university's then exclusionary policies, actions, and programs. Betty ended her formal career at Saint Joseph College as first Coordinator and then Director of Intercultural affairs. After retirement, she became a literacy volunteer at the local elementary school. Betty was deeply committed to working toward a paradigm shift and substantive changes in higher education that would reflect and drive our country's efforts to attain its highest ideals of Equality and Justice, and she worked toward these goals with her time, talents, and treasure. She received many official commendations for her efforts in promoting and supporting equality and diversity, helping all people to rise.

Betty was quiet, yet courageous, and able to speak her truth, full of grace, dignity, humor, and compassion. Betty loved, listened to, and mentored her children, extended family, and her students. She loved her cats, classical music, and singing in choral groups and choirs. Betty also loved and collected art, especially glass, jewelry, paintings, and African art. She was an accomplished artist in her own right and surrounded herself with beauty.

Betty is survived by her children, Nancy Cornish Williams, Katherine Cornish Pomeroy, Charles Cornish, and Margaret Cornish and their spouses; her six grandchildren, Paige and Graham Williams, Adam and Caitlin Arthur, and Rachel and Aidan Bogan; the co-mother of her children, Sally Cornish; and her cousins, Bobby, Jacqui, and Jeannie Williams, and their families.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband, Edward Cornish, Jr.; her uncle, Arthur Williams; and cousins, Carol and Vernon Williams.

A Celebration of Life will be held in June.

Donations in memory of Betty may be made to one of her favorite charities: the ACLU, Southern Poverty Law Center, or Planned Parenthood.