Elizabeth Chamberlain of Greenbrae, Calif., known to friends and family as Betsy, died on Wednesday, March 28, at Kindred Transitional Care and Rehabilitation - Larkspur, in Greenbrae. She was 91.

She had been doing well in rehab for a broken rib but had a massive stroke and, per her wishes, received only comfort care after that. She died as she desired, in her sleep. She is survived by her three children, who were with her around the clock during her last week.

Betsy was born Nov. 30, 1920, in New Britain, Conn., the oldest child and only daughter of Rodman Wright Chamberlain and Constance Russell Chamberlain. Her family often spent summers on the Vineyard with many relatives.

Her cousin, Phronsie Vibberts, of Connecticut, pointed out upon her passing that Betsy was never one to be in the spotlight. In her unobtrusive way, however, she accomplished much, especially in helping others. She volunteered for 20 years at the Hospice Hodgepodge thrift store and 20 with the Marin literacy program. She won the admiration and love of her students and her friends at Hospice, in the “Larkspur Walkers” and at Emeritus Bocce Ball, which she began at age 80.

Betsy attended the Connecticut schools of Mooreland Hill in Kensington and Chaffee in Windsor and then went to Sweet Briar College in Virginia, where she graduated summa cum laude in French. She was a lieutenant in the Navy, in the first group of WAVEs to enlist. During the Second World War, she went to Massachusetts for officer’s training in Northhampton and training in communications at Mount Holyoke College. She was stationed in New York city in the eastern sea frontier.

She married and had three children—Lee Rockwell and Peter Burchard of California and Laura Harbeck of Vermont. She moved to California in 1969 and worked for 20 years in San Francisco in labor relations in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Betsy is survived by her half-sister, Emy Thomas, her three children, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Betsy’s children are holding a celebration of her life for all who loved her at the Fairfax, Calif. Women’s Club, 46 Park Road, on April 21 from 1 to 4 p.m.