Elisabeth B. Brown

Elisabeth “Betty” Border Brown passed away December 15, 2024, in Longmont, Colorado. She will be lovingly remembered as having a razor-sharp wit, an artist’s creative eye, and a deep love of travel and nature.

Betty was born in Alton, Illinois, on July 3, 1938, to parents Lawson and Cordelia Border. Her father worked for Shell Oil Company and his job saw the Border family move and travel multiple times throughout her life. As a young child, Betty lived in Shell company housing and was known at school as “one of the Shell kids” along with her older brother, Bill. During her high school years, she lived in Montreal, Canada; The Hague, Holland; Paris, France; and Chester, England; all due to her father’s career. She fondly remembered celebrating her 13th birthday in Paris.

After graduating from Westwood High School in Westwood, New Jersey, Betty pursued an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Colorado University. She returned to school again at 40 to pursue a master’s in School Counseling and exceled as a school counselor throughout her career, working specifically with teen moms and young women from minority backgrounds.

Betty was married to Donald Brown for twenty years and together they raised three children: Kelley, Evan, and Tucker. With her family, Betty lived in Alaska, Hawaii, and Boulder, Colorado. After her divorce, Betty met and fell in love with John Grauberger, who remained her partner for 25 years. The two spent their years together traveling and exploring their many hobbies. Santa Fe, New Mexico, was one of their favorite destinations.

Throughout her life, Betty loved the outdoors including hiking, camping, and climbing; she even made it up the third Flatiron! She was also a talented artist, working with textiles and other mediums to create beautiful quilts, tapestries, dolls, sculptures, and so many other beloved masterpieces. Betty was also a prolific reader. Later in life, she read 3 to 4 books a week and was a dedicated member of several book clubs over the years.

Betty is preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Brown; her life partner, John Grauberger; her older brother, Bill Border; and her daughter and son, Kelley Gleason and Evan Brown.

Betty is survived by her son, Tucker Brown and his wife, Kristina Brown, and their children, Taylor and Kyle Brown; her sister-in-law, Laura Border, nephew, Wesley Border and niece, Alison Rakotonirina and their families; her son-in-law, Rick Hennig and grandson Matthew Gleason, step-grandchildren, Taylor Dietz (and her family) and Nick Hennig; and her daughter-in-law Jeannie Brown.

The family intends to host a celebration of life for Betty this coming summer 2025. If you feel the need and in lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity in her name.