Dr. Elizabeth "Betsy" A. Brown, age 69 of Big Rapids, passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2011 in Mt. Pleasant. She was born October 25, 1942 in Plainfield, NJ the daughter of Hobart and Anna (Klein) Duell. Betsy graduated high school in New Jersey. She attended the University of Vermont where she earned her undergraduate degree. Several years later Betsy achieved her doctoral degree in Early Childhood Development from the University of Arizona. Betsy lived to teach; she taught elementary students in Arizona for 20 years and later was a professor at Ferris State University for 3 years. She was a member of the National Education Association. Betsy was a talented and artistic person, in her spare time she loved to quilt. She is survived by her son, Michael Goode of Portland, Oregon; 2 stepchildren, Kirsten Harris and Robert (Dana) Brown all of Phoenix, AZ; 1 grandson; a sister, Anne Hauck of Pennsylvania; several nieces and nephews. Betsy was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Robert "Bob" Brown; a daughter, Jennifer Goode and her parents. A memorial service will take place 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Father Joe Fix officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions in Betsy's name may be made to the Mecosta County Care Program, P.O. Box 1008-C, Big Rapids, MI 49307.