PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Ms. Betsy John died unexpectedly at Portsmouth Regional Hospital on Saturday, June 9, in Portsmouth, N.H., at the age of 68.

Betsy is survived by her mother, Hope Wiel; partner, Peter Royce; son, William David John; and siblings Cathy John, William Edgar John II and Arthur Rothafel.

She is preceded in death by her father, William Edgar John.

Betsy was born July 10, 1949, in Short Hills, N.J. She graduated from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work with a master’s degree in psychotherapy in 1979. She dedicated her whole life to social work, helping everyone she could. She brought this passion with her everywhere in her well-traveled life, while living in places including Germany, Alaska, Maine, Boston, and eventually settling down with Peter in his home in Barrington, N.H.

The light of her life was her son, William David John, of whom she was proud to tell everyone about anytime they would listen. She was an accomplished gardener and loved to sit on the porch after a long day in the yard and listen to her music. She was a generous, empathetic and caring woman who lived to help others and who was passionate about social work.

Betsy John


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