Betsy A. Smith ’03

Born May 28, 1981, Betsy passed away Aug. 3, 2021, of complications during the delivery of her first child.

Betsy spent her childhood with her parents and her two sisters in Gainesville, Fla. She graduated from Eastside High School’s International Baccalaureate program, where she was a competitive swimmer. While at Princeton, Betsy lived in Forbes College and was a member of Terrace Club. A chemistry major, she nurtured a variety of academic interests that ranged from science to history. She was an active member of the Taekwondo team and sang in the Fire Hazards a cappella group.

After Princeton, Betsy earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Yale University, then returned to Princeton for her postdoc studies. Betsy continued to share her passion for education at Elmira College, where she was a beloved associate professor of chemistry and had been teaching since 2014.

At age 35, she finished first in her age group at the New Jersey State Triathlon. She also represented the U.S. at the Gay Games in Paris.

Betsy will be remembered for her ardent support of those around her and for the inspiration she provided to people to be comfortable in their own shoes. She was brave and authentic and made the world a more welcoming, hopeful place. Her friends and family will never forget the countless ways she empowered them, cheered them on, and made them feel loved.

Betsy is survived by her beautiful baby daughter, Charlotte; parents Jacquelyn Smith and Dale Smith; sisters Malinda Smith and Jean Smith Ashby *17; brother-in-law Corey Ashby; nephew Miles Ashby; and her three cats.