Elizabeth "Betsy" Mead

Elizabeth “Betsy” Mead of Sonoma passed on January 5, 2025. A beloved mother, grandma, sister, and friend, Betsy’s illumination of this world will be both remembered and missed. 

Born to Ruth Patricia and Alfred G. Turner on January 11th, 1951 on Staten Island, Betsy was the third of five children. The family moved from Staten Island, to Akron, Ohio, and then on to Sunnyvale, California in 1961. Since then, Betsy had always considered herself a “California girl”. A natural athlete, at Homestead High School Betsy was on the dance/spirit team, and began to ski as much as she could, babysitting and working as a ‘Kodak Girl’ to save money for season passes. After studying at De Anza Junior College and Cal Berkeley, she moved to Sun Valley in Ketchum, Idaho - working various jobs with atypical hours to allow maximum time for skiing. 

It seemed only natural that Betsy would meet her future husband Paul on the ski slopes back in the mountains of California, waiting in line for a chair lift. But it wasn’t until they were reunited a handful of years later on a sidewalk in San Francisco - after Betsy was moved to hop off a bus when she saw Paul “Buzzy” walking down the street - that their romance began. 

Paul and Betsy fell in love, traveled the world, married in San Francisco in 1977, moved to Portland - where Betsy worked in advertising - and back again, settling in San Francisco. They enjoyed each other as a married couple for a handful of years before welcoming their first daughter Paige in 1986. Two years later, amanda was born, and shortly thereafter the family moved into the house Paul and Betsy thoughtfully and lovingly designed, making Sonoma their home. 

Betsy loved Sonoma, opening her home and hosting family and friends throughout the seasons. A facilitator of joy and beauty, Betsy wanted people in her life to feel taken care of and at ease - all while having a little fun. She had a unique ability to create spaces that were elegant yet accessible, and was led by the idea that while aesthetics and functionality are important, it is people who make a home. Her love and knack for designing California-inspired and family-centered homes led to her late-career as an Interior Designer - work she continued to pursue through a breast cancer diagnosis and (successful) treatment, illustrating how she met challenges with determination and positivity. 

Regarded by many as a warm, generous, dependable, and stylish woman, Betsy defined herself as a mother, designer, and friend. Her creativity, talent, and love were both effortless and endless. She will be dearly missed. 

Predeceased by her husband Paul and sister Patty, Betsy is survived by her daughter Paige, son-in-law Ben, granddaughter Felix; daughter amanda and her partner Maxx; honorary son Dan and daughter-in-law Dana, grandchildren Georgia and Finn; brother Michael A. Turner, niece Katherine Irick, children Mackenzie and Wiley; sister Lil and brother-in-law Stephen Mayes; sister Susan and brother-in-law Cort Christensen, children Claire and Peter; and many other loved-ones and friends.  

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