Elizabeth "Betty" Musser

Betty Musser passed away on November 10, 2024 at 90 years young. A wife, mother, friend, mentor, educator, adventurer, and lover of the arts, Betty played a major role in the lives of many.
Born in Fargo, North Dakota, Betty grew up surrounded by her parents, two sisters and brother and a rich network of other artistic and creative friends. She gravitated to a musical life at an early age. She joked that she loved playing the cello so much that she was willing to haul it through massive snow drifts to her lessons. Migrating to warmer climes, she studied music and graduated from the University of Southern California. She was invited to study at music academies in Salzburg, Austria and Zermatt, Switzerland, received a Master of Music from the University of Iowa, and taught cello at Morningside University.
She married Warren Musser and they settled in Mill Valley, California. A loving mother and wife of 60 years, she raised two daughters and five grandkids and inspired them to live life with the same sense of curiosity, gusto and joy that she did.
A dedicated teacher, she taught music in the San Francisco school district for many years and maintained a private cello studio for over 50 years in Marin. Very beloved by and dedicated to her cello students, she was driven to help others with their musical training so that they could enjoy a life rich in music as she did. Her students appreciated her caring heart and "you can do it" attitude. Colleagues noted that she was a revered member of the music community and a loved and valued mentor to many.
As a performing musician, she was a member of the Santa Rosa Symphony for over 30 years. Betty also loved playing chamber music and concertized with many wonderful musicians over the years including the Opus 3 trio. She also volunteered on the boards and enjoyed friendships formed at Chamber Music Marin, Marin Music Study Club, and Mu Phi Epsilon.
Traveling was another passion and she inspired family and friends with her sense of curiosity and joie de vivre. She was grateful to have explored many parts of the world to experience different cultures and world wonders. As an antique dealer and collector, she enjoyed hunting for treasures and gifts, especially antique dolls and toys and connecting with her community of fellow antique collectors across the Bay Area.
Always up for adventures, Betty continued to travel, attend concerts and lectures, savor restaurants, and enjoy music full throttle to the end. She was truly an extraordinary woman in the best possible ways-intelligent, talented, warm, generous, funny, kind and always interesting. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Please contact her family about attending a celebration of life.