The Elizabeth E. Bettelheim
Family Foundation

 Elizabeth died on December 25, 1999.  She lived her last day of life entertaining her children and grandchildren, reading numerous letters that she had written during her lifetime.  Elizabeth's letters describe what it was like to be a college educated woman living in the United States in the twentieth century.

Elizabeth and Albert, who preceded her in death, loved the outdoors and fly-fishing.  In addition to fly-fishing, Elizabeth had numerous other interests including cooking, swimming, dancing, nature and conservation, collecting antiques, classics, reading, writing poetry and limericks.  She was devoted to her family.  Her grandchildren called her pink grandma due to one of her favorite outfits. 

Elizabeth Eldridge Bettelheim in the 1920's

who set up playgrounds in New York, held leadership roles in the National Council of Jewish Women and was involved in numerous social service and philanthropic interests in the United States.   Elizabeth and  Albert helped Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's tyranny and also aided Japanese Americans that were sent to Internment Camps in the United States.  They helped the world renowned artist and University of California Professor, Chiura Obata, by storing some of his art works when he was sent to Tanforan internment camp.

After spending part of their honeymoon at a National Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority convention in Dixville Notch, New Hampshire, Elizabeth and Albert moved to Berkeley, California.  There Elizabeth was responsible for the planning, funding and the building of Tau House of Alpha Epsilon Phi in Berkeley, California.  She served on the Board of Directors and as President of Alpha Epsilon Phi, Tau Chapter and Alpha Epsilon Phi, Tau Chapter Housing Association.  Elizabeth was a founder and first President of the Alpha Epsilon Phi Foundation which provides scholarships to university women.  She was designated a Woman of Distinction, the highest title in Alpha Epsilon Phi National Sorority.   Elizabeth also received the Rose Gerstein Smolin award for lifetime service to  Alpha Epsilon Phi.