Elizabeth R. Kenney ’74

Betsy died Aug. 11, 2023, in Kyoto, Japan, of complications of peritoneal cancer.

At Princeton, Betsy majored in anthropology. She remained lifelong friends with classmates Kristin DeKuiper, Susan Williams, and Katie Traeger. She was the godmother of Emma Hite, daughter of classmate Margie Hite.

Betsy was an accomplished scholar of Japanese religions, uniquely perceptive due to her deep grounding in Chinese Buddhism. She pursued advanced studies in Dharamshala, Taipei, and Beijing. She was a skilled interpreter of Japanese Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, and one of the leading experts on Japanese mortuary practices.

Betsy met her husband, Rob Kritzer, at a Buddhist Studies conference in Berkeley. Sons Basil and Ben grew up in Kyoto and still live in Japan. Betsy was very proud of them.

From 1989 to retirement, Betsy taught Buddhism and Shinto to international students at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka. She was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher.

Betsy was a loyal friend, a thoughtful listener, a lover of cats, and a compassionate soul. She will be deeply missed by her husband; her sons; siblings Shannon Kenney, Laura Kenney, Kevin Kenney, Terry Kenney, and Tim Kenney, and many friends in Japan, Europe, and the United States.