Betty Britton
April 24, 1936-Dec. 28, 2011
Palo Alto, California

Betty Britton, an active participant in the Palo Alto community for many years, died peacefully Dec. 28, 2011. Betty spent a happy Christmas with her family and finally her struggle with Parkinson's and kidney diseases ended.

Betty will be remembered by many as a capable, patient and fun upholstery teacher at the Palo Alto Adult School. She guided many students through the complexities of upholstering vintage chairs and enjoyed the company of the students. She had served as a board member of Palo Alto Stanford Heritage where she helped research historic properties.

Earlier in her life, she volunteered at the nursery school, elementary school library and the international children's playgroups at Stanford's Bechtel International Center. For several years each fall the family hosted a foreign couple with young children arriving for study at Stanford, resulting in many long-term friendships.

Always up for something new and different, Betty got her Private Pilot's License in 1987 and joined the 99's Organization of Women Pilots. She and her husband made trips all around the U.S., including Alaska. An accomplished cook, she wrote a cookbook: "Lots of Pots -- Cooking for 10 to 300," the inspiration for which grew out of the many meals she catered for friends and organizations. Many family members and friends treasure the recipes.

Betty was born on April 24, 1936, in Chicago, Ill., but moved to Southern California at age 2 and lived in California almost ever since. After graduating from Hamilton High Scholl in Los Angeles she attended Tobe-Coburn School for Fashion Careers in New York City.

Moving to Palo Alto in 1958, she took a job with the Emporium at Stanford and in June 1960 married and started her family. As her children became more independent she returned to retailing for a time, managing a small chain specializing in women's sizes. As large stores cannibalized that business she took up upholstery, first as a hobby and finally, with a new teaching credential, taught until Parkinson's took its toll.

She is survived by Ralph Britton, her husband of 51 years; sisters, Jane Childs of Torrance and Kathleen Cairns of Santa Cruz; daughter, Carla of Boise, Idaho; son, Stuart of San Diego; and two grandchildren.

Tags: teacher/educator