Remembering Our Vice-President, Betsy Vanleit

On January 8, 2025 Ojai lost a bright light when Betsy Vanleit passed away after a brief illness. Betsy, a core leader of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition among other community causes, was a deeply spiritual, practical, wise and vital person who did a huge amount of good in her lifetime.

From her earliest days working on the orchard of an Israeli Kibbutz, to managing a Young Adult Conservation Corps, to developing a childhood disability prevention program in Cambodia, to so much more, Betsy's big heart and leadership led her to improve social justice, community health, and care for the most vulnerable — wherever she was.

After a career in Occupational Therapy,  serving as a professor at the University of New Mexico for many years Betsy retired in 2020 and moved to Ojai to be closer to her parents, Arthur and Judith Vander.

In Ojai, Betsy combined her caring for people and the environment in many ways, volunteering with organizations that included the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Master Gardeners, Food Forward, Mama Tree Farm, Help of Ojai, The C.R.E.W.’s Green Valley Project, Ojai Trees and Ojai Cabin Village. Her leadership with the Ojai Valley Green Coalition made possible our exciting new chapter, leading the visioning effort for the City Hall 8-acre campus.

Those who spent time with Betsy, especially during her illness, saw first-hand how her four-decade Buddhist practice shaped her ability to be calm, light-filled and accepting. Until her last moments she was a teacher, a helper, an inspiration and a friend. We are forever grateful that Betsy touched our lives and our community.

Read more about Betsy Vanleit.