I'm so sorry this came so late, but Mrs. Rippner was one of my favorite teachers at Mt. Abe, she was an amazing woman and I wish we had more time together. I'm dreadfully sorry for your loss, she touched many lives and is sorely missed. 

Dear Betsy Jo. Paul and Stacy, there’s very little to be said in words of comfort. Only that she led a good life and is remembered fondly.     Warmest regards, Peggy Finesilver

P.S., here's great photo of Betsy traveling w/me from Spain to Morocco (Gibraltar in background) Good times!! 

Betsy didn't need to be told "carpe diem"; she did it automatically.  More than anyone I knew, Betsy epitomized the spirit of "L'chaim".  I was so very fortunate to cross paths with Betsy back in Jan. 1986 while living in Granada, Spain (for a year-long study abroad program).   We travelled throughout Spain together,  made a trip to Morocco (great fun) Back in USA, did camping trips in Yosemite Nat'l Park (a blast!)  Betsy was always a joy to be with & could get along with anyone (not an easy task) ... I was truly blessed to have Betsy as a friend for 35 years & will miss her dearly!  HERS was TRULY a life WELL-LIVED!!

I keep thinking about Betsy, she will stay forever young. That is how I remember Betsy..so full of life and ready for the next adventure. We were each other's first great friend  when we each moved to VT to start our careers. We met on a Green Mtn Club hike and lived far enough apart that we did weekend sleepovers. So many memories through all of the years since. Looking back..our last adventure was Nov 1 2019 to Ledge Hill Brewery in Westport New York. Betsy was looking to find her next friend group..not that she didnt have more friends than anyone  I know..she was hoping to make it her "Cheers" bar. Gone too soon. 

To Ms. Rippner's family, 
My deepest sympathies for your loss. Ms. Ripper was one of my most beloved teachers at Mount Abraham Union High school. My fondest memory of her was when she allowed me to stay after school with her and help to plan the 8th grade trip to Boston. She was a great listener, who cared so much about her students. She was a wonderful teacher  and will be missed greatly. 

Sincerely,

Ericca Olney

I just heard today, through the pre-tech grapevine of beloved college friends who met at the dorm at the University of Michigan, that Betsy had passed.   Oh, this news made me sad.  I often thought about taking a trip to Vermont to see her again.  She was the type of friend you could pick up with right where you left off , even as the separation of time and physical distance widened over the years. 
 She was curious, open, funny, compassionate, intelligent, contemplative.  We travelled to Chautaqua one year (girls only trip!) and thought we had discovered the secrets of the universe. Another time we jumped in a car and went to New Orleans for Mardi Gras for Spring break... last minute adventurers.   We talked for hours about religion, culture, the meaning of life.  She visited my home in Dearborn and introduced us all to Stacey and her parents (all very warm and welcoming people).  She's imprinted in my own life story and I will never forget her.                    

Dear Rippner family, 

I went to high school at Hawken with Betsy. We played on the softball team together and perhaps the field hockey team too. I don't have a specific memory of Betsy but it makes me smile to think of her. She was so funny! I have not seen her for decades but just LOVE the idea that she was a middle school teacher. I can only imagine what a comfort and delight she must've been for so many students in a challenging time in their lives.

I'm so glad that she was able to receive good care in Cleveland and that you all got so spend these precious and tender last times with her.

Thinking of you as you navigate the world without Betsy physically present.


Paul we have been friends for a long time.I am so sorry 
For your loss of your beloved daughter .My heartfelt condolences to you and your entire family.

Dear Sophie and all of Betsy's loved ones,
Betsy was a colleague of mine at Mount Abraham and a recent next door neighbor.  For years, I knew Betsy but since I was at the high school and in a different department, our paths only crossed at faculty meetings and big, whole school events.  A few years ago, Betsy moved next door and we struck up a friendship, sharing rides to school, walking our dogs, and meeting on the back porch for a glass of wine and wind-down after-school conversation.  

I will miss her and all the fun we had planned during her retirement.  She was dearly loved by so many in our community and a well respected educator.

My heart goes out to all of you as you grapple with this unthinkable loss.  Sophie, if you need any help in the West Addison neighborhood, please reach out.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Sincerely,
Sam Kayhart

So sorry for your loss!  Frank & Annette Alvarez 

I was at Mt Abraham teaching when Betsy was hired. We became good friends and coached softball together. I left in the mid 90’s but still stayed in contact with Betsy. Once in awhile she was available to attend my Hanukkah parties in Burlington VT.

I just found out late today that Betsy passed away. My sincere sympathy to the family and extended family and friends.

Betsy was a  wonderful dedicated teacher, a caring friend and a wonderful mother.

We all in VT will miss her.
Barbara Brody

My deepest condolences to the Rippner family.  I have so many memories from my childhood that included Betsy.  She was kind, smart, so funny, and just a genuinely good person.  My thoughts are with all of you during this difficult time. 

Dear Betsy's wonderful family,
Jocelyn and Nan here. We are so thankful to have had Betsy in our lives both as a fellow teacher and as a friend. From her sense of humor to her caring nature to her insistence on keeping dusty relics made by students years and years ago (decades?), she added so much to our lives. She was always up for anything whether it was starting a different way of teaching (negotiated curriculum with students) late in her career to organizing tons of field trips to lip synching  and dancing to "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" while wearing a ridiculous costume (think 1980s Betsy) to dressing our seventh graders up as pregnant murderesses ala "Lamb to the Slaughter"by Roald Dahl. There are so many more memories that make us both laugh and cry. We can share them with you this summer. We will miss her so. Our love goes out to you all as you grieve this huge loss. 

Dear Sophie and family,

I have so many fond memories of Betsy and our decades together, first as middle school teachers on the ‘Gold’ crew inhabiting the role of her ‘brother’ to Ed McGuire’s and Linda Lunna’s roles as our work dad and mom.  Somehow even when things were particularly stressful or challenging for us, Betsy knew the right thing to say to help us focus on what was important or to make us laugh.  Beyond work, as friends who came of age in the 1970’s, we also shared similar tastes in music and television shows, often discussing old and current favorites.  I will miss talking about the small town politics of Vergennes and many other topics during carpool rides to and from work.  I am so happy I was able to share Betsy’s all too short life and I hope I will be able to reconnect with her some day in what follows.  Betsy will forever hold a place in my heart as large as any I have for my brother or sisters.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you while you are dealing with this terrible loss.

Michael

Betsy was a very well loved and valued part of Eagle Nation, here at Mt. Abraham.  She was a skilled teacher, but more importantly, she developed sincere relationships with her students.  Betsy was ALWAYS positive, helpful and fun!  She has already been greatly missed.
Warmly,
Ann Pollender

I have been Betsy’s next door neighbor for something like 20 years. East Street will surely miss her. My memories of Betsy always make me smile. And sometimes laugh out loud! Sending love to her family and especially her beautiful daughter Sophie. Gone too soon.

Not only did Betsy and I work together at Mt Abe for many years, we also both lived on East Street and our daughters were good friends all through elementary school.  I have so many memories of Betsy both from school and from home.  Almost all of them involve lots of laugh and fun.    My deepest condolences to you all during this time.

Dear Paul, 
Our hearts go out to you, Sophie, and Stacey for the tragic loss of Betsy. Saying goodbye to a daughter, sister and Mother is very sad.
Please know that we are thinking of you and have you in our prayers.
Edie and Tony Boscarino

Betsy was an instrumental part of my four children and their Junior High experience. She was kind, thoughtful and always ready for a fun challenge. I had an opportunity to attend an out service that was a week long in the Boston area 6 years ago. We had such meaningful conversation and were additionally able to attend a Boston Symphony performance. Betsy will be GREATLY missed!! My positive healing thoughts go out to all who knew and loved this wonderful woman.
                                                                  Respectfully,
                                                                Wanda Bouvier School Nurse Mt Abe

Dear Sweet Betsy's Family,
When Betsy first came to Mt.  Abe,
I was invited to become part of her Teaching Team....a new Team for Middle Schoolers. Half the Team were new, Betsy, and our Math teacher, Ed. The Science teacher, Sue Landgren and I (Language Arts) were the vets as it were.
From the moment we met, we clicked and for well over a decade our Gold Crew, later Orion Crew, fed kids' minds and souls with the Best we had to give as a Team. What Family we were! Betsy, the spitfire creative lady she was, made teaching our units a sheer joyous adventure every day. 
I called her my "Little Sister," and she called me "Mom." I remember meeting Betsy's Mom, Linda, at Betsy's wedding and how she hugged me as Betsy related a funny story about her School Mom and Dad (Ed McGuire).
I am broken hearted that this vibrant life was cut short, but at the same time, am and will be ever grateful for the wonderful years we had together. Always there with a helpful word of encouragement and hugs that are unforgettable.  Peace and Love Dear Friend ❤️.  We will meet again.🌹🌿

Like so many others, I am broken-hearted. So many of my fondest childhood memories include Betsy and the Rippner family.  I will always remember  Betsy’s kindness, intelligence, humor and sense of adventure and cherish the wonderful times that we shared. My heartfelt condolences.

Dear Paul,
My heart goes out to you and your family for the tragic loss of your daughter Betsy. I wasn’t fortunate enough to know Betsy, but knowing you and Lynda, I know she must have been a wonderful person. Hopefully your vast memories will see you all through this terrible grief.
Love,
Frani Shagrin

Dear Stacey and family, 

This is just heartbreaking. As long as I’ve known you Stacey, it was clear - your love and relationship with your sister was very strong. 

I never met your sister and I wish I had. What an incredible person she sounded to be. 

Please know our deepest condolences and thoughts are with you and your family. 

Love, 
Sarah, Mark, Collette, Tim, Jake, Caleb, Nate and Bridget 



Way back when, Betsy, Abby, and I were hired as new teachers at Mount Abraham in Bristol, Vermont.  Teaching was our passion and we had quite the time beginning our careers together.  Over thirty years later, we all went our various ways, but still managed to stay in touch, even getting together for important times.  
Betsy’s contagious laugh brought out the best in me and in everyone with whom she interacted.  It was my honor to talk with her a few weeks ago. In typical fashion, she allayed my fears about still being relevant in the classroom.  I will never forget how often she supported me,  even when she was the one who needed it.  
Godspeed, my beautiful friend.  Life will not be the same without you here on Earth, but I have no doubt that Heaven is rejoicing to have you there with your mom, and our dear friends, Clark, Desorda, and Harriett.   

I love you, Rip.  Rest easy.  
Lori

Dear Family,

We are saddened and devastated on the loss of our sweet Betsy.
She was so adventurous and so very kind and thoughtful to everyone.  We loved our fun Thanksgiving Dinners with her and
the family.  We so remember her wonderful smile.
She  certainly touched everyone's hearts .  Betsy will be in our thoughts forever.  We feel certain she is now with Lynda.    

Our prayers are with all of the family while dealing with this
tremendous loss.

Much Love,
Susan and Ken

Dear Stacey,
I'm sure Betsy was a dear sister; I am sorry I never met her.  I know you will hold on to your memories, which I hope can give you some comfort in the days ahead. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and the rest of your family.
Gail

Sweet life of a lovely young woman cut short. Sincere condolences to my longtime friends, the Rippner family. 

  Sent with love, Peggy

So very sad all our hearts have been broken. Many memories of babysitting and being in my wedding. Always enjoyed being with her and she had so much to look forward to and it was all taken away. She will be so missed I hope she is with her mom. Love to all you’ve all been through so much. I’m sure you cherish all your memories as I will of her
Love Marcy and Bill

Dear Sophie, Stacey, and Paul,
I have so many wonderful memories of Betsy; from our many student transition meetings, travels to Costa Rica (where she convinced me to not accept a marriage proposal from a Tico) to Yelapa where we lived for “The Pie Lady”, to our six week cross country drive in her unairconditioned Toyota Tercel...the memories are endless. We had babies a year apart, they were each others first friends...we reconnected last year. My heart is broken. Sending you all big love from the entire Slesar family. 

Dear Paul, Sophie and Stacey,
Please accept our most sincerest condolences for  the  loss  of   your dear Betsy.  Saying goodbye to a daughter, sister and mother  is very sad.  Fortunately, the many happy memories of the family together will keep Betsy alive in your minds and hearts.  We are here for you.
Much love,
Myrna and Warren

Dear Paul and family,
My sincere sympathy to all of you on the passing of your beloved Betsy. Please know I am thinking of you at this very difficult time.
With much love,
jill lerman strauss


I am so sorry to learn of Betsy's passing.  What a hard loss.  We are thinking of you.  Debbie has been keeping me informed and while I didn't know Betsy, it still impacts all of us.

Much love, Marcy (Lipson) Davidovics

To Paul, Sophie and Stacy

So sorry to hear about Betsy.   She fought a long battle and died too young.
Andy and I will always have fond memories of babysitting the girls on Belvoir.     .
It’s hard to watch the family getting smaller 
May all your memories help ease the pain of  your loss.
Love, Charlene and Andy 

OBITUARY

Betsy Jo Rippner

28 July, 1961 – 1 June, 2021

Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services