Dear Mom,
I sit here writing this note hoping for the best and making sure that I don’t leave anything unsaid, just in case. I wish I could tell you all this in person as I fear my words won’t be as meaningful on paper. I would like to say that I love you and thank you. (Editor’s note: Lee is pregnant and was not allowed to come to the hospital for Betty’s last illness because the doctors felt it might jeopardize her unborn daughter. This was read to Betty at her hospital bedside multiple times)
I love you.
I love you, for the past 31 ½ years you have been a great mom. I remember all the times I would get angry and say that you weren’t my real mom. For saying that I am really sorry. You may not have birthed me, but whenever anyone asks me about my “real mom” I say it’s the mom who raised me. The one that I have today. She is my real mom. You are my real mom.
I love you, because I know that it wasn’t always easy juggling us and a doctorate. I know that you always did your best to be a good mom. I remember mother daughter lunches and times that you set out for just the two of us. Those will forever be engrained in my memory and mean so much to me. You are the reason why that I try to take time out for Kora and give her just us time.
I love you. You and dad encouraged me to try as many things as possible and find my own way. There was no limit to what I was allowed to do. It wasn’t always easy and I know that we didn’t always see eye to eye, but you always stood by me and instilled within me the importance of a quality education. I remember, you always used to say, “Sports will get you no where, but education will get you everywhere.” I still quote it to people to this day as such an important thing. I know I haven’t always been the easiest kid but I love you for your seemingly boundless patience and being able to put up with me. I don’t think I would be where I am now without you and dad.
Thank you.
Thank you for all the things that I will list below and all the things that I can’t quite get down on paper.
Thank you for all your guidance solicited and unsolicited. You told me things I wanted to hear and sometimes the harder things I didn’t. I thank you all the same for being honest with me. You helped me get through college and my master’s program You helped me guide me through many of my education and employment obstacles and helped me overcome them. When I was having issues with teaching you understood and made me feel like I wasn’t alone.
Thank you for helping with Kora’s first month of life. I know it wasn’t always easy and that feeding with a finger and a syringe was really hard but I am not sure I would have survived as well as I did without your help. Kora wouldn’t have survived as well as she did without your help. Please cherish the memories as I know I will. I will keep on reminding Kora how amazing you were the first months of her life and how you were such a key player in the beginning.
Thank you for being a great grandma. You have offered some wonderful experiences and time to Kora that I doubt she will forget nor will I ever let her forget. I am not sure that Baby Braddock will get to meet you, but I remain hopeful that you will get to see her at least once. If she is not so lucky, I will make sure she knows what a strong, smart, stubborn, and kind woman you are and I will make sure to instill the love and importance of family that you have helped instill in me.
I am not sure when I will see you again, whether it be on video chat in a few hours or a missed opportunity. I will see you later.
It truly tears me up that I can’t be there for you at this time. I think that will be my biggest regret. I would love to be there to help ease your pain or make you laugh. If I could be there, I would be. I would be right by your side talking about nothing in particular or just about Kora’s successful bowel movements as that is our big focus right now. Or I would just sit in the comfort of our silence happy to spend time with you.
Looking back, I wish I had spent more time with you. That I had made even bigger efforts to have Kora see you more often. I am so sorry that other medical issues on my side got in the way.
I am not sure which way this road is going to take either of us. Just know that I am praying for you and that I love your very much. I am very glad you are my mom and that you and dad chose me.
Eternally grateful,
Lee Elizabeth Braddock
I’m so grateful for the woman who became a “sister” as we “grew up” professionally. I met Betty in doctoral studies at Kent State in 1989. Together we served as graduate assistants in our first research project, wrote our first published articles, made our first national presentations, then received our doctoral degrees side by side in 1992. We were part of the Kent State family and partnered in researching, writing, presenting, editing, grooming doctoral students/colleagues, serving in leadership roles, and providing service in the field of literacy for 29 years. I don’t think I’d ever have done international work in Prague, Belgium, Great Britain, or Macedonia without Betty at my side. From sharing a “cemetery” apartment in Edinburgh, facing machine gun toting soldiers pounding on our door in Eastern Europe (Editor’s Note, “Why didn’t I ever hear that story?”) getting lost in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, to investigating my ethnic roots in the Czech Republic; we persevered with humor and audacity. Although we collaboratively produced numerous articles/chapters, countless presentations, and eleven books; the thing I treasure most is the friendship and support of a gracious and intelligent woman. Farewell my “sister”, friend, confidant, and colleague; I miss you more than words can say.
Betty and Wayne Linek
Reflections from Martin Ford, Senior Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, George Mason University
Betty Sturtevant was a truly remarkable woman. She was an inspiration for so many people, myself included. Indeed, she probably did not realize how much influence she had on me as she matured as an academic leader during her 24 years at Mason. Yet she helped make me the scholar that I am today by teaching me – through the way she lived her life, and by the way she got things done – about how to motivate and lead others.
At first I really didn’t understand why Betty was such a natural leader and so effective in collaborative team leader roles. I just knew that if we wanted to get things done, and we wanted everyone to feel good about what they had accomplished, Betty was the right professor for the job. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to mind the fact that we relentlessly asked her to fill one leadership role after another. Her first leadership position in the College was as Academic Coordinator of the Middle Education Program, an assignment that she started while still an untenured assistant professor. Then Betty became the Academic Coordinator of the Literacy Program, a new program area that she developed (with Steve White) while still progressing along the tenure track. By the time she earned tenure in 2000 she had already served on the CEHD Council (where faculty advise the Dean), chaired several search committees, and been elected to the Board of Directors of the College Reading Association (now known as the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers).
And we just kept piling on from there, culminating in Betty being promoted to the rank of Full Professor in 2008, after which she was named the inaugural Director of the Division of Elementary, Literacy, and Secondary Education in 2011, while also serving (from 2013-2015) as the Director and Principal Investigator for the Virginia Department of Education’s Center for Teaching Excellence.
As I watched Betty’s remarkably reliable success in all of these roles, I began to wonder how someone so quiet and unassuming could be so effective as a leader. I had begun working on a new motivation-based theory of leadership and I realized that Betty was an exemplar of all of the qualities that the research was pointing me toward. That in turn helped me “see” the researchers’ findings in a real person, and to describe the special qualities that made Betty so effective as a leader. Included among those qualities: an Active Approach goal orientation. Personal Optimism. Mindful Tenacity. Emotional Wisdom. And above all, Social Purpose.
Betty helped me see that when you put all of these qualities together in one person, the results can be magical. Indeed, I recall thinking on one occasion when Betty had calmed the turbulent waters in a faculty meeting that she reminded me of another magical person that we all know and love, Mary Poppins. You may recall that Mary Poppins was gentle, but also assertive. Just like Betty. She got things done in a matter of fact way, but in doing so she also taught people important life lessons. Just like Betty. She knew how to have fun and yet she did everything with great dignity. Just like Betty.
Mary Poppins didn’t make a big deal out of it, but just like Betty, it was important to her to ensure that everything was “practically perfect in every way.” In fact, Mary Poppins herself was “practically perfect in every way.” Just like Betty.
One of the most powerful – and often disconcerting – thought experiments that people can engage in is to imagine what others might say about them after they pass away. But in Betty’s case this would have been a source of great comfort, as she lived her life with such inspiring strength, and with such incredible dignity, and with an outlook on life that helped her keep laughing even when things got tough.
Strength. Dignity. Laughter. Perhaps you have seen that trio of words before? Those are the same three words that were repeatedly used to describe Queen Elizabeth in her eulogy, which seems extraordinarily fitting for CEHD’s own “Queen Elizabeth.”
I will never forget my first academic job interview. Betty was the chair of the search committee and the first person I met during my visit. She greeted with smiley eyes and invited me to her office. She was so forthcoming in answering all questions. But, what struck me, was Betty’s genuine interest in what my career interests were and the life experiences that had shaped them. Her warmth, thoughtfulness, deep listening and smile will always stay with me. Betty had a capacity to put people at ease that was remarkable, and, healing at times. Your kind mentorship, will be missed by many, Betty.
Ana Taboada Barber, Associate Professor University of Maryland
So, my Betty memory is from way back when – I’m guessing 2002-ish – when I first met her at the first, ROI holiday party at Elliot’s house. What struck me then, and what I remember clearly to this day, was how darned NICE she was. Not that something like that should have surprised me – you’re pretty darned nice, too. But, she was so very easy going, and our chat (about nothing significant … kids, work), was more like two people who had known each other for years, rather than minutes. That has stuck with me all these years, and I always will remember her well!
David Nellis, partner ROI Advertising and business partner of Dave
Betty was the bravest and toughest person that I have ever met and she was an example to me. She was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and then more recently Multiple Systems Atrophy. As her diseases progressed she had more and more hurdles to jump through. Probably one of the most difficult was the extreme swaying of her blood pressure which took a toll on her and then later just the ability to talk and swallow was more than she was able to do. She once told me that we really don’t have control over our life and that she had come to peace with that as she got older.
Along with the at least 20 visits to the hospital and 2 brain surgeries she persevered and just took one day at a time. I was always amazed that she didn’t let the gradual loss of her abilities get her down. In fact she was still able to laugh with me over the green smoothies that I brought and how “yummy” they were, and she took pleasure in the books I read to her and our time together.
I have lost a friend and someone I loved.
Cheryl Christian
As a GMU doctoral student I had the pleasure to take Betty’s adolescent literacy course a few summers ago. I also got to work closer with Betty as her GRA (Editor’s Note: Graduate Assistant for you non-academic types) during her last year. As my husband and I moved to Ohio in January, I regretfully will not be able to attend the service, but wanted to contribute a memory:
While in Betty’s doctoral adolescent literacy course, she organized a small baby shower for one of the other doctoral students in the course. She took time out of our class sessions to talk to all of us about this secret baby shower and sent a few reminder e-mails organizing who was doing/bringing what. During our last session, we surprised that student with the shower and ended the course in such a great way. I share this memory because it speaks volumes about Betty. Beyond a brilliant professor, mentor, and colleague she ensured that she took time to know us as individuals. It was apparent from that moment that Betty’s genuine nature and care for us went above our work in that program. I was fortunate enough to work alongside Betty for a short year and was astonished by how she did not let her illness get in the way of what she loved doing, teaching. I hope to be half the professor, researcher, and teacher educator that Betty was.
I worked with Betty her last year on transcribing her historical letters she had from the family. While she has the original copies, I do have the copies I made/used for transcribing. If you would like them, please let me know.
My condolences, Nisreen Daoud
Betty—kind, generous, funny, a loving mother, a brilliant scholar. Beach and conferences.
I knew Betty for almost 30 years. I first met her when she decided to do a Ph.D. in literacy. She had been a social studies teacher and wisely determined that learning how to help kids read and study their textbooks would increase the likelihood of their academic success.
Betty was a GA for several years at KSU (editor’s note: Kent State University) , as she completed coursework and began planning her dissertation. During this time she met Wayne Linek, who was also a GA. Betty worked with me, and Wayne worked with Tim Rasinski, and Tim and I worked together, so…. A study of fluency that we collaborated on is still cited today—it’s 25 years old!! And Betty and Wayne became lifelong friends.
Working on a dissertation can be a challenge when 3 kids are running around the house. Dear Dave helped with this problem by scooping the kids up on weekends and taking them off on adventures so mom could work on her “big paper.” One time she called me giggling to report that someone knocked on the door while she was working. She opened the door to find a hot pizza. No Dave, no kids—they were already gone.
Betty’s dissertation was brilliant. I remember advising her to submit it for an award. In true Betty fashion, she demurred—“it’s no big deal. Who would think this is important?” But I pushed, and she did (probably to shut me up). And she won the CRA (now ALER) Dissertation of the Year Award.
I loved Betty. I will miss my friend. And I will keep Dave, Dan, Paul, Lee, and their kids on my thoughts.
— Nancy Padak
Dave’s Response to Nancy:
“Thank you so much Nancy. I hope you realize how much your mentorship shaped her to be the incredible academic. and professor she became. She was proud to be from the Padak Tree of Literacy. You taught her to DEMAND that her students attend conferences and publish before graduation. And in mimicking you there is now a Sturtevant Tree of Academics who are emerging as new leaders in the field. Lee still tells about being your pen pal and how it helped her writing. She told the ministers preparing for the memorial service that story. Be well Dave Sturtevant”
Nancy’s Response Back to Dave:
“well now I’m smiling thinking about Lee and our pen pal relationship. And to add to that, I recall Lee looking at me at the beach one day and commenting that “you look funny. You don’t look right.” No makeup, no doubt. HAHAHAHAHA And Jackie reminded me the other day about another beach trip. Betty was drinking a beer.
Lee: What is my mom drinking?
Me: A beer
Lee: Why?
Me: It makes her feel better
What a long, rich history we have. N”
So many memories of time with Betty; time exploring ideas and cities, time encouraging me to stretch beyond what was comfortable and think in a different way. Betty was usually in the center of our gatherings, whether it be in a discussion circle in class or a pub in Edinburgh; and she presided with calmness, grace and humor. These pictures (editor’s note: one included) are my favorite from the World Congress in Edinburgh, Scotland. We explored the conference and explored the city together, always enjoying Betty’s chuckle and sense of humor as we encountered different communication styles and thoughts.
Betty became a great friend and confidant, as well as an educational advisor and guide. I was her first literacy student accepted into the George Mason Literacy PhD program. In the course of the next 22 years together, we shared our lives; life with our children, our different job titles, various responsibilities and passions. Betty always listened with no judgement; offering encouraging or cautionary words, often with her wry humor. Betty guided me through writing and publishing a book after completing my doctorate; she encouraged and edited, gently but firmly. She has made such a difference to me in my life, and so many others. I will miss her companionship, her guidance, and her physical presence in my life. Her spirit will be with me always…with love and gratitude, Nancy Guth
Betty and Nancy Guth
A Tribute to Betty Sturtevant
Teacher, Mentor, Scholar, Leader, Colleague, and Friend
Mark R. Ginsberg (editor’s note: Dean of the College of Education and Human Development, George Mason University)
We remember, honor, and offer tribute to Betty Sturtevant for her many contributions to our college and the Mason community.
Betty was a special colleague – a vibrant person who made everyone around her feel special. Her genuineness as a caring colleague was respected and valued. Her standards were high, and her expectations for herself even higher. She made everyone better because she cared so deeply and worked so hard.
As a teacher, Betty had patience and determination. She always was patient in providing students with a “space for self-discovery” while also determined that her students would achieve excellence as she facilitated their learning and both their personal and professional development. A teacher instructs, yet a mentor guides. She was both as her guidance of her students prompted them to grow and develop. She mentored others in a classically Betty manner of gentleness, empathy, and unrelenting attention to detail. She was a model for many, and so very much appreciated.
We also knew Betty as a thoughtful, creative, and innovative scholar. Her thinking about important constructs in the field of literacy led to scholarship that literally changed the way teachers teach and children learn to read and comprehend. Her writings helped generations of teachers to practice with fidelity to what we actually know, not just what is inferred. In turn, their students were far better prepared to succeed in school and ultimately to excel in life. Her influence was more than geometric – it was and continues to be exponential.
Betty was a leader – within schools, within our college and university, and within her community. She was a quiet leader – never one to raise her voice yet always a person you would hear. You heard what she said because you wanted to know what she was saying and knew that it would be profound. Whether it was leading a class, a program, or ultimately as the Founding Director of CEHD’s Division of Elementary, Literacy, and Secondary Education, Betty led by example and with wisdom. Her thinking was clear, her views well-informed, and her contributions massive.
Most of all, and perhaps most importantly, we remember Betty as a trusted colleague and a dear friend. Of the things that I most cherish is the relationship that Betty and I shared while I also admired the relationships that she had with so many in such a “wide circle.” Friends were like family, and family always was sacred. Her love for Dave, and her children, was immense. They were “her world.” Yet, her world was large and all of us, her CEHD family, also were very much part of “Betty’s World.”
She made a difference in my world and she made a difference in the world that is our university. Betty was a “difference maker” who in her quiet way found a way to make us all better. I am better because of Betty Sturtevant and we are all better because of Betty Sturtevant. We already miss her greatly yet know that her legacy will live for eternity in the impact she has had and through the important contributions she has made.
Rest in peace my dear friend.
I met Dr. Sturtevant in the fall of 2008 when I took my first PhD course at GMU with her. After a few classes with her, I asked to meet with her after class. I told her I wanted to change my specialization to Literacy, and I wanted her to chair my committee. She agreed instantly.
I didn’t have the faintest idea what the program of study in Literacy was about, but I did know that I wanted to work with Dr. Sturtevant. That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Over the next 9 years, she advised me on coursework and research, created a part-time position for me so that I could take a year off from teaching high school, and displayed her wicked sense of humor when I least expected it.
Dr. Sturtevant’s last email to me was sent on November 10, 2017, and it was about a personal ordeal I had been going through. I could tell it must have been a great struggle for her to type the message—words were misspaced, capital letters missing…. But Parkinson’s or no Parkinson’s, she was going to get that message to me, no matter how embarrassing it may look coming from a scholar devoted to precision. And although I insisted on calling her “Dr. Sturtevant,” she closed her last email to me with “your friend, Betty.”
–Mike Richardson
Dear All,
I hope that you are receiving a million emails of stories about Betty’s thoughtfulness, humor, scholarship, and friendship. I was only at Mason for three years, and when I left, Betty wrote a wonderful recommendation for me. She was supportive and genuine – a colleague I would always hope to emulate. I know your hearts are breaking; I can hear them breaking all over the country as the news is being shared amongst the literacy community. But I can also feel the love for a woman who was universally regarded, respected, and enjoyed. Please know that I am thinking of all of you and holding you all in my thoughts,
Jackie Malloy
Clemson University
Dave and family,
Our most profound sympathies for your loss. Betty was a wonderful person.
My first memories of Betty are at Guiles family summer get-togethers in Warrensburg in the 1950’s: sometimes at Grampa Guiles’, sometimes at our house on the hill, sometimes at the Tyrrell house. At least once we had a picture of Guiles, Farrar and Tyrrell cousins lined up in front of the Tyrrell barn. We would even take the rare overnight trip to Long Island to visit Betty and Charles (grownups didn’t really count). (These trips were rare because dad had to get Grandpa Guiles to milk the cows while we were away.)
We kept in touch a bit when I, and then she, went off to college, and she even gave me a tour of the Lake Ontario shore when I was headed to the western Adirondacks on one of my many geology trips.
For years as our families grew we would never quite meet, but I would get updates about your family from my mom and later from Sarah. We even both had boys with history and theater career interests –not quite applying for the same jobs. We really appreciated the opportunity to catch up a bit when you and Betty were so nice as to put us up for a few days when Judy, Jamie, and I came to tour Washington a few years ago.
Betty was a light in everyone’s lives. We will miss her.
Stewart (cousin on Betty’s father’s side) and Judy Farrar
Betty
When I think of Betty the first word that comes to mind is kindness. Betty was on my dissertation committee and she was who I turned to when I felt like giving up. Betty was the most encouraging and thoughtful mentor, who always took the time to make sure that I was fully supported as I moved through the program. I can remember on several occasions when I was particularly down and out about the process, Betty would make a silly joke or tell a story that would instantly make you forget what was bothering you. Betty just had this wonderful calming presence that made you thankful just to have her physically near you. I will never forget Betty’s dedication to teaching, mentoring, and advising even after becoming prolific in the educational field. I will forever look to Betty as my guiding light during my time in academia.
Erin M. Ramirez, PhD
Assistant Professor
California State University Monterey Bay
I met Betty in college, where among other things, we led a Girl Scout troop together, and we went on a number of camping trips. It was on one of these she taught me the concept “It never rains when I go camping”. This did not mean that she had some magical control of the weather, but rather that we could make our memories be about the important pleasures of the moment and not the inconveniences. At the time she was explaining this to me, it was raining…a lot, and it kept raining most of the weekend. But that is not the main thing that the kids, or I, took away from the weekend. We huddled up in one tent, we told jokes, acted out stories, exchanged riddles, splashed in the puddles when the rain let up, and we had a wonderful time. The girls did not go home complaining about the weather, but told their parents what a great time we all had.
I smiled when I read the word “intrepid” in her obituary. This is a word that I would have used to describe her even earlier in her life. She was a steadying influence, but always up for an adventure, and we had a number of them. And thanks to her, it never rained.
Chris Van Veghten
What good fortune it was in the late 1980’s when the professor of our doctoral course seated us alphabetically and I landed by Betty to continue the walk through our program and into a deeply valued friendship. We often roomed together at professional conferences then ventured to beaches in Florida and the Carolinas, to a political march in Chicago and to dance on Bourbon Street, exploring local flavors. We walked many life parallels with connections to DC and Annapolis, a love of crab cakes, hitchhiking adventures of our youth and family stories. We regularly celebrated our May birthdays; Betty was a week older. Most recently on one of many visits we enjoyed a three-hour lunch as Betty tackled an entire lobster in spite of her struggles with Parkinson’s. I value the courage she has shown these last several years, the open-hearted wisdom and support she has readily given me, colleagues and students, and the love and pride she has shared for her children. Her persistence and patience, kindness and care, accented with joy and a twinkle of mischief will be treasured forever. I love and miss you dear friend.
Denise Stuart
I am falling short of words to describe Betty’s eternal graceful elegance that touched the hearts of many. She was a soft and kind-hearted soul who was an epitome of patience, perseverance, and generosity. It truly saddens me not having had more opportunities to spend time with her and learn further from her valuable wisdom and teachings. Thankfully, I feel a close connection and her presence each time I reminisce about her sweet memories. I cannot even imagine being half as virtuous as Betty, but I sincerely hope to make her proud one day by following her guidance in various capacities. Undeniably, she will always remain in my thoughts and prayers and will continue to be loved, missed and remembered…
Love Always,
Rabia Ghani
Betty changed the course of my life and then shepherded me through to safe passage. When I entered the doctoral program at GMU I had intended to take up the special education track. But then I met Betty, in a course called Ways of Knowing. Almost 20 years later, that remains a highlight of my educational life. Betty possessed commanding content knowledge, surefooted pedagogical sense, love of ideas, and gentle-patience toward insufferably clueless students like me, who thought that qualitative research began and ended with Likert scale climate surveys.
When I switched over to the literacy track Betty cheerfully agreed to be my adviser, and then my dissertation chair. She kept me on track, tactfully steered me away from purple prose, clichéd concepts, and all the other excesses of dissertation writing. Then she helped me successfully apply for a dissertation award that helped open the door to the job I have now.
Just last spring we published a study based on that dissertation. It was one of my proudest moments as an academic to co-author a paper with Elizabeth Sturtevant. Characteristically, she was happy for me, ever championing my work, looking out.
Betty loved her family and friends and students, and was never at a loss to share stories of their accomplishments. It’s not that she was a martyr—she was quite comfortable in her own skin as a world-renowned literacy scholar and leader. It’s just that she loved all of us so well. We’ll never know how many people’s lives she touched, but her sweetness and light continue to shine around the world.
Thank you Betty, for inspiring and redirecting my life. With an aching and grateful heart,
Bill Muth, VCU
Betty’s Furrowed Brow
As Betty’s student and Graduate Research Assistant for many years, we often had long meetings with a lot of discussion, which consisted mostly of me talking while she would go about putting her books away or straightening her papers as she patiently listened. Most of the time she didn’t say much, but, once in a while, she would chime in, “well, some people might say…” as a way of reinforcing or negating what I was explaining. But, when I knew to be quiet, lean in, and listen closely was when Betty would stop, and do this thing with her face. She would sort of squint and then furrow her brow and I knew this meant brilliance was coming. I lived for those moments. Betty’s furrowed brow propelled me forward in my thinking many times as a teacher, researcher, mother and friend.
It was an enormous privilege to have spent time with Betty professionally for all those years, and then personally over the last few months. And while she was often quiet, I always walked away from her smarter, wiser, and with a vow to be a kinder person and a better listener. I will miss her deeply.
Kimberly Kopfman, PhD
While I certainly admired Betty’s leadership and scholarship at GMU in education fields, it was at Burke Presbyterian Church where I have the most memories. As a deacon and an elder, she served wisely and effectively while maintaining the humility and kindness that is encouraged by the Sermon on the Mount. I didn’t see her seek attention or credit for her accomplishments but she received any acknowledgement of her acts with a quiet smile. She encouraged the meditation and reflection that can only happen with quiet because she seemed so much at ease with quiet. That was especially a gift to me.
I will miss Betty and will continue to be grateful for the ways she contributed to the world, to our community, and to me personally.
Jean Buffardi
The last time I saw Aunt Betty was on New Year’s Day. As I sat next to her in her room at the rehabilitation center, I showed her some pictures of my nephew Lucas. It was a cool moment: two aunts together, being family. I’ll remember her most for her thoughtfulness. One Thanksgiving, she made a small bowl of sauerkraut for my mom, who had previously mentioned that her family traditionally ate that with their holiday meal. The year that my cousin Paul got his doctorate and my brother Ben graduated from college, she made them a graduation cake to go with Christmas dinner. And, last but certainly not least, when I appeared on “Jeopardy!” in 2012, she came out to my viewing party at the Greene Turtle in Chinatown and met all my friends. I also appreciated how Aunt Betty preserved family memories and history so we wouldn’t forget, retelling stories and saving photographs and other memorabilia. She had a great sense of humor but could also be serious and sympathetic when necessary. We will miss her greatly.
Cathy Guiles
Betty Sturtevant…..a friend….a colleague…a teacher…a mentor…
Betty Sturtevant was extremely influential in my professional life while supporting and encouraging me throughout both my masters and doctoral programs. I first met Betty Sturtevant in 1995 when I was seeking to design an individualized master’s program with a concentration in reading. Betty became instrumental in supporting my learning journey in literacy. During my master’s degree program, I also served as Betty’s graduate assistant and received hands on experience as her mentee. Betty encouraged me to apply for the doctoral program and from 1997-2003 I worked closely with Betty as her student, her mentee, and friend.
Betty had a unique way of drawing students in by providing opportunities to conduct elements of the research process with her. Before I knew it, I was assisting her with research visits, transcribing interviews, and even writing and co-writing articles for publication. As an elementary school classroom teacher, my world was greatly expanded by my involvement in attending national conferences with presentations and co-authoring three published articles. Betty made an effort to introduce me to leaders in the literacy field when we attended national conferences and was inclusive to all of the students from our literacy cohort. Her personal approach was quite unusual for a busy professor and was one element that I believe put Dr. Sturtevant above so many other teachers/professors that I have worked with. Her ability to make me feel (as a student) qualified to contribute to the academic world of literacy education helped to entice me to continue my academic experiences of working with professional organizations and presenting research along with writing for publication. Without her support, I wonder if I would have ever completed my doctoral studies. Betty Sturtevant had a true gift of mentoring students.
Dr. Betty Sturtevant stood out in her ability to advocate for her beliefs in literacy education, and to support the intellectual and skill growth of her students. Betty had the unique ability to help each person she worked with feel valued and inspired to do as much as possible for the advancement of literacy education. Betty and I also shared our love of the beach and our homes located very closely together in Sandbridge. She was my mentor, my colleague, and my friend who will be greatly missed and remembered as an outstanding educator in every sense of the word.
Vicki P. Duling, Ph.D.
Assistant Principal
Laurel Hill Elementary School
I’m blessed that in my occupation as a Speech Language Pathologist, I am afforded the opportunity to work with many amazing people, and Ms. Betty was that and then some. Our goals sounded simple, improve swallow safety, increase vocal volume and improve functional communication and quality of life. What I realized after my first visit, she and Dave had something special. What I didn’t quite realize, I was about to be invited into that something special and she would be the one actually teaching me.
There were countless uphill battles and multiple diagnoses working against our favor but Betty had a resounding determination, a witty sense of humor and a giggle that got me every time. She humored me through our vocal exercises and even yelled from one room to the next (per my request). But, it was in the quiet moments of our informal conversation that I was able to hear about her true loves- Dave, her children, and grandchild(ren), her friends, her amazing passion for teaching and her goal of visiting Italy. She even invited me on the trip and I agreed to continue with our voice exercises and fun conversations in exchange for a ride in her suitcase.
No matter the day Betty was having, she would always give me her best and that never went unnoticed. We developed quite the friendship and I often walked in the unlocked door without knocking…just announcing that I had arrived… a good friend ready to chat.
I’ll miss her big smile and bright blue eyes, her quiet giggle and huge heart. A piece of her will stick with me forever as I continue to support people with similar challenges. For as much as I may have taught her about swallow safety and voice strategies- she taught me about life, love and perseverance and for that, I am forever thankful.
With love & gratitude,
Leah Pitts
Betty Sturtevant, Mentor and Friend
Julie Kidd
The year was 1997. I was a reading specialist in a local school system, and I was wondering if I would enjoy working at a university. That is when I saw Betty’s advertisement for adjunct instructors for the Middle Education Program at George Mason University. She hired me to co-teach a literacy course with her. That was the beginning of over 20 years of her serving as my mentor and friend. She saw potential in me at a time when I was not sure what I wanted to do or how I wanted to proceed. I quickly transitioned from adjunct to superadjuct to part-time to full-time faculty under Betty’s guidance and support. She introduced me to the CRA, LRA, and AERA conferences and taught me everything from how to find roommates to how to prepare and present our research to how to network with other researchers. She also taught me that when at a conference near Disney World, it is okay to eat a hot fudge sundae for lunch!
Over the years, Betty supported my efforts as I moved from assistant professor to associate professor to professor. She encouraged me to take on leadership roles within the college and in our professional organizations. And she modeled how to build relationships and have fun as we engaged in our work. What I appreciated most about Betty’s mentorship style was that she mentored but did not smother. She was always available when needed and was willing to help me think through my next steps. But her mentoring always left the decision-making to me. I will miss Betty’s insights, her stories, and her support. Betty played an instrumental role in my development as a faculty member, and I will always be grateful for her time, effort, and encouragement.
In Tribute to Dr. Sturtevant,
First, of all, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Sturtevant family and all the people who are Dr. Sturtevant’s loved ones.
Dr. Sturtevant was a person who influenced my personal, professional, and academic life. At the same time, she was a wonderful human being with a strong sense of generosity, compassion, and humility. I met her around ten years ago. She was my professor during my Masters and doctorate journey. Her teaching, commitment, and elegant approach inspired me to be the best I can be. She was very generous with her time, talents, and advice despite having many responsibilities. she made time to meet with me to share how we were doing, projects we were working on, and just to talk about our daily lives.
I will always be thankful to have had Dr. Sturtevant as a mentor, professor, and role model. As a result of our conversations, I decided to pursue graduate school at GMU. Her teaching went further than the classroom walls because she challenged me to go beyond my personal comfort zone and fears. The things that impressed me the most was her calm demeanor and sense of inquiry as she embraced diversity, innovation, and the dissemination of knowledge.
Dr. Sturtevant has left a legacy of love, learning, and curiosity. It is my hope to keep her example as I move forward in my life. In few words, I only can say that it has been an honor to be a student and friend of Dr. Sturtevant.
“If you get, give. If you learn, teach.” This quote by Maya Angelou expresses the legacy that Dr. Sturtevant leaves behind.
With deepest respect,
Lilly LePelch
Student and Friend of Dr. Sturtevant at George Mason University
Laughter
radiates like fireworks from the Soul.
Betty was a wonderful colleague and friend. Her gift to me was her infectious laughter. She will be missed but never forgotten. In Dave’s words, she was a fighter and I add that she “fought the good fight” to the end.
Love,
Libby
Some thoughts from Cheri Rhodes Mack, Betty’s first cousin.
I always looked up to Betty and Charles, because they were a few years older and I thought that everything they did was “cool!” When we were young our mothers, the “Nutting girls,” Mary, Dottie, and Jeannette, used to go home to Mentor, Ohio, for a week in the summer. We played tag and hide-and-go-seek on their large lawn, swam in the creek, learned to play croquet, ate ice cream, and had a great time!
We also went to New York to visit them a number of times. I remember going on the train to visit them and saw the statue of liberty when I was about 5 years old. (1958?) Our whole family went out to visit when the World’s Fair was in New York in 1964. They lived in a small home on Long Island at the time and I’m sure it was crowded when we all came to visit, because we had 5 girls at the time, but I just remember how much fun it was. We were very impressed with the Fair and talked about the trip for years!
One summer when I was about 13 years old, they came to visit us in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and Betty brought her guitar with her. She taught me to play a few chords on her guitar and I loved it! Soon after their visit, I got a guitar and I still play it to this day.
I remember Betty and Dave coming out to visit when their children were little. They would load them up in the car in the evening and drive all night, while the kids slept. When they got there in the morning, they would sleep while we played with the kids!
My family went out to visit Washington D.C. when my kids were little and we stayed with Betty and Dave for a few days. They watched Aaron, who was almost 3 years old, one day while we went into the city to tour with the girls, which was such a great help.
The girls still remember that trip to DC.
Wonderful memories! All my love to your family.
I first knew Betty when she enrolled in my Diagnosis and Remediation course here at Kent, probably in the late 80s. I recall her being quiet in class, but I also remember having a first class mind. Getting to know her better as she got into the doctoral program and became good buds with Wayne, I was struck by her understated sense of humor. She always quick to laugh – even at the dumbest jokes. After Betty and Dave moved to the DC area, I remember visiting her at their home. Knowing that I am a Civil War buff she was so kind to take me around many of the battle sites in her area. Although she had probably been to the same sites multiple times, she was so gracious in helping me satisfy my curiosity. Although we lost touch over the last several years, I have always thought of Betty as an excellent scholar and, more importantly, a wonderful friend. –Tim Rasinski
My Betty story-
When I interviewed for my first job at Mason, I spoke with Betty and Kristien Zenkov. The stakes were high- Seth and I had just gotten engaged and I was ready to quit my job in South Carolina and move to Northern VA, no matter what. I’d read Betty’s work and was star-struck about meeting her. Never mind it was a part-time, one-year contract- I was meeting THE Betty Sturtevant! And within about 37 seconds I was so excited about the prospect of working with her that my fears of moving to NoVa disappeared. And for 8 years, I did get to work with her.
Betty quickly became a trusted mentor and friend. She also became the catalyst for my career at Mason- encouraging me to apply for the Academic Program Coordinator spot and later a tenure-track spot. She helped me build connections and relationships with schools and teachers, answered countless questions, and supported most of my loopy ideas (gently talking me out of the truly nutty ones). I miss her dropping in to chat about classes, the literacy program, and families. When Anna was an infant, I had many challenges, especially sleep deprivation. I was terrified of falling asleep feeding Anna in the night. In her humorous matter-of-fact way, Betty shared a story about falling asleep one night while feeding one of her sons, “I must have dozed off. When I woke up, he’d rolled right off my lap onto the floor. He was asleep, and it was fine. Don’t worry.” Whatever my worry was, Betty smiled and talked me down.
More recently, Seth and I realized that we needed to find a different church. Betty described BPC and the variety of children’s activities, and their experiences raising their children there. Seth and I decided to visit, and then we started seeing Betty and Dave at services. When Betty began wearing hats to church this fall, Anna was intrigued. She loves colorful clothing, and really thought Betty’s red cloche hat was the most fabulous thing she’d ever seen. She would ask me, Mommy, will we see Miss Betty & Mr. Dave today?”
“Yes, I hope so, Anna.”
“I hope she’s wearing her pretty red hat. I really like her hat.”
And then she knew just where to look on the right side of the Meeting House, in the back, to see if Betty and her red hat were there. “Mommy, I want to go say hi!” She often got tongue-tied, as young children can, but always wanted to greet Betty and Dave.
I’m truly grateful for the time I was able to spend learning from, working with, and laughing with Betty.
Allison Ward Parsons
I first met Betty at KSU in the office of our mentor, Nancy Padak. Betty had just handed Nancy a copy of her completed and bound dissertation study, while I had just started to write mine. As she introduced us, Nancy shared that Betty and her family were soon moving to Virginia where an assistant professorship was awaiting her. My first thought was that this woman was awfully quiet and unassuming for someone who had FINISHED her dissertation and also had a JOB!!
When Betty left, Nancy handed me the dissertation and said, “Here – use this as a model. It’s very good!” And so I did. And so it was!! In fact, that year Betty’s case study of high school history teachers’ literacy beliefs won the College Reading Association (now ALER) Outstanding Dissertation Award!!
Over the years, Betty and I shared many good things – the same profession, the same grad school, the same mentor and eventually, the same daughter as Joanna began her graduate studies at GMU! Our last meeting – not three months ago – was at Joanna’s dissertation defense. Betty was now in a wheelchair and obviously ill, but I was so happy to see that she was exactly the same Betty I had met on that first day: warm, unassuming, gentle and still contributing to literacy education. I am so grateful to have known her. May her memory be eternal.
- Newton
I have known Betty for quite a long time – and over these years, I’ve known her through work, family memories, our children, our work with doctoral students, and in so many other ways. Betty was always a steadfast colleague, someone who had a creative vision in mind, and someone who worked to make that vision happen. One of the things that stands out in my mind is the work we did together on the Virginia Educator Grant. She wanted to make a difference in the lives of teachers around Virginia, wanted them to network across the state, understand more about policy and teacher leadership – and she accomplished that goal. Those two years included planning, implementing, working with teachers, and actualizing her vision. I think this grant provides an excellent example of the way she accomplished things. She rolled up her sleeves and worked to make them happen.
I will miss her quiet strength, her strong beliefs about the ways that things should be. I will miss her voice in discussions and her role in planning. She was a wonderful mentor to her doctoral students, was a great person to work with on doctoral and dissertation committees. I will miss serving with her in this way because I could always count on her to be the consummate professional. I will always be so grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with and learn from her.
Rebecca Fox
Dr. Elizabeth Sturtevant was my committee chairperson from 2012 – 2017. I started my doctoral program in 2011 and I was very fortunate to have Dr. Sturtevant in one of my core introductory courses.
I found an instant connection with Dr. Sturtevant on many levels. On a personal level, I found her to be very approachable, warm and full of life. On an academic level, I found her to be very knowledgeable and resourceful. At the beginning of my program I was interested in the topic “Inquiry Based Learning’ and in our very first meeting, she handed me an article on that topic which I found to be very useful. From the start, I found her to be extremely committed in helping her students when they asked for assistance and guidance.
She was so excited and invested to see my growth and success. She was looking forward to reading my dissertation paper. Dr. Elizabeth Sturtevant, it was a privilege being your student and I thank you for always being encouraging, supportive, and a guiding light to me. You remain in my heart forever.
Fahima Choudhry
Sometime in 2012
I was working in Dr. Sturtevant’s office one day as her graduate research assistant. I was new to the literacy in the sense of scholarship and research. So we were busy doing something of importance, probably catching me up to speed on some literacy research. I was at her roundtable working, while Dr. Sturtevant was at her desk.
She kindly asked, “Syd, can you grab me the Vacca and Vacca book that is on my shelf?”.
I said, “Sorry, what do you need?”
She replied, “Vacca and Vacca”. And she repeated this a few times, as I looked at her dumbfounded.
New to the scholarly work in the literacy world, I did not understand what she wanted nor had a clue what she was saying. I kept hearing “vodka and vodka”. I kept asking myself, “Why is she wanting alcohol? Was it a bad day at the office? Is this a Northern Virginia thing? (I was not from the area) Do other professors hide vodka or other alcoholic beverages in their offices?…I was pondering so many things! Plus, she was my boss, professor…this was weird.
So finally, I said with a puzzled look, “Dr. S, I am not sure what you are asking. I have not seen vodka in your small office and you are asking for it repeatedly as if I know where the vodka is. Don’t get me wrong, you have lots of things in your office, and it could be somewhere, but I have not seen it. Plus, I did not realize you liked vodka so much that you would just casually ask for it during work hours in your office. This is certainly a new side of you!”
All of sudden, Dr. Sturtevant’s face becomes beet red; she is laughing very hard. She is trying really hard to compose herself, with tears falling down her cheeks. After what seems to be minutes (it probably was only 10 seconds), I had to ask her if she was breathing…
After another moment of eternity she stated, “Just a second, Syd…..” and she started laughing again.
So now I am more confused. What did I miss? I am sure she asked for vodka and she asked for it repeatedly!
Finally, she stated, in between laughter, “No Syd!….(still laughing) Not…..(laughing) Vodka…Vacca and Vacca…(laughing some more, and now she is holding herself up because the laughter is just too much) they are names. V-A-C-C-A. They are content literacy researchers who have really shaped the literacy. You should know them.” As she breaks out in laughter, again.
My reply, “Oh, really. Thanks. I will check them out” And jokingly added, “But did you really want vodka? We can run off campus and get some if you want.”
It took a good 20 minutes before we all composed ourselves. Yes, we, because others in the literacy office joined in the commotion as well.
I have never forgotten who Vacca and Vacca are and I cite their work regularly. However, I cannot help to think about them without thinking of the distilled beverage, and Dr. Sturtevant’s red, smiling face as she calming explained two critical faces in the literacy field. Or visa versa…
Syd Merz
Dear Friends of Betty:
I guess I get the last word. I intend this to be a living document so if you decide to contribute something in the future I’ll be happy to add to it although I don’t promise to redistribute it. Somewhere I’ll figure how and where to put it on the web.
Thank you all for being friends to us in the last 45 years. These few weeks have been crushing and to hear all of your great “Betty stories” has been uplifting for me.
You have all told the tales of her low-key commitment to her profession and efforts to improve literacy throughout the world. She was a fierce and loyal friend. She loved to work with people, plan programs, get things done and brought the best out of those around her. No one ever cared less about getting credit and more about the personal feelings of those around her. She loved being a mentor and help people discover and pursue their passions.
She was a great wife, mother and grandmother. She told me she was disappointed she wouldn’t be able to participate in the grandchildren’s lives, growing up.
As some have mentioned Betty never had hobbies. What passed for hobbies were her family, church, reading (surprise!), the beach when we could get there (preferably with the family) and anything, and everyone relating to education and making it better. She loved reading, writing, researching, teaching and mentoring—Not necessarily in that order.
She really appreciated her many therapists (physical, occupational and speech) and her Communication Parkinson’s Support Group. Were it not for her illnesses I was hoping to drag he out of Mason by age 70. Green and Gold ran through her veins and she loved her job.
I could write forever about my wife, partner and friend but I can’t do her justice, no matter what, which is a terrible disappointment to me. The last few years were rough but we got to spend every step of the way together and for that I will always be grateful.
Thanks to Jarrett, Meg and countless members of Burke Presbyterian Church I can’t even try to name. We couldn’t have made it without your steadfast love.
So you should all know how Betty’s life ended. Weeks before her death she DEMANDED of me that her body be left to science. I wasn’t sure I could do it but in her last day it became an obsession with me, so in the end perhaps something good could come from this tragedy.
My son’s partner Arielle Gingold was my personal hero during this time. She managed to find the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville Florida (which specializes in Parkinson’s and Multiple System Atrophy research) and coordinated 5 different organizations to get Betty’s body prepared correctly, reams of paperwork filled out/returned, and following all the protocols to ensure her body would arrive in the condition and timeliness to be effectively used by the researchers. I will never be able to thank her for her relentless work, with great grace and tenacity, to create a miracle. I’m not sure anyone else could have pulled off.
In the end and based on Betty’s demands she is completing her efforts on this earth as a researcher and educator for the doctors to get a few steps closer to eradicating these awful diseases.
It was fitting and what she wanted.
Take care of your loved ones.
Dave Sturtevant