Betty Jane Thompson Tuchman

Betty Jane Thompson Tuchman, 76, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2025, surrounded by family at her home in Boulder, CO. Betty was born on September 5, 1949, in Southern Illinois. Since she was a child, Betty had a deep love for reading, mathematics, teaching, and helping others. She combined these interests by studying elementary education at Southern Illinois University, where she received bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Betty went on to work as an educator for more than 50+ years. Betty started her career teaching second grade and training other teachers on a math curriculum, CEMREL, that she helped develop. After four years teaching in IL, Betty was ready for a big life adventure. She moved to Denver in 1976 to start a new job as a teacher at Graland Country Day School. It was at Graland that she met and fell in love with her husband of 46 years, Robert. Betty eventually became the Head of the Lower School at Graland and, after moving to Boulder with Robert, taught at Mountain View Preschool and Mesa Elementary School. At Mesa, Betty worked as a math specialist and prepared her students to compete in Math Olympiads in which they excelled. She also tutored hundreds of students in math and reading at her dining room table for over 30 years. Betty was active in leading girl scout troops and teams competing in Odyssey of the Mind and Destination Imagination. Her passion for teaching and love for children were boundless, and she inspired children of all ages and abilities.

Betty and Robert shared numerous adventures including backpacking, cross-country skiing in Yellowstone National Park, and traveling together. As a couple, they faced an immense challenge when Betty was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1981. Despite the setbacks that this disease imposed, they did not let it stop them from growing their family, and Betty continued to expand her network of friends and students whose lives she touched every day. Living with the disease for 45 years, Betty was steadfast in her desire to support research on MS in the hopes that others would not have to suffer.

Betty had a warm and open personality and could make friends with anyone, anywhere, no matter their age or the language they spoke. She was an empathetic listener who had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel comfortable and cared for in her presence. She saw the good in each person that she met. Her passion for books helped her connect with friends near and far. She cherished her book groups and the friends with whom she shared ideas.

Betty’s love for teaching and her friends was matched only by her love for her family. Betty is survived by her devoted husband Robert Tuchman, her daughters Lauren Wilson and Anna Tuchman; her grandchildren Paige, Ellie, Graham, and Nikos; her sons-in-law Matt Wilson and Kostis Hatzitaskos; her brother Randall Thompson; sisters-in-law, Quyen Thompson and Robin Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Leona Thompson, and her brother Ronald Thompson. Each of her surviving family members carries forward a part of Betty’s legacy—her love for education, friendship, and family. May Betty’s memory always bring comfort to those who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Betty’s memory to the National MS Society. https://donate.nationalmssociety.org/campaigns/Betty-Jane-Thompson-Tuchman . The family extends their thanks to Betty’s friends and caregivers who visited and helped keep Betty comfortable at home.

We hope that you can join us in celebrating Betty’s beautiful life on November 15, 2025 from 1-5pm at Rembrandt Yard in Boulder, CO. Please RSVP at https://evite.me/THgTNBX8cC .