"Betsy" Frothingham, – A Committed Educator -- Dies at 85
Elizabeth Mason Frothingham (Betsy) died on February 25, 2022 at Woodbridge Rehabilitation and Nursing in Berlin, Vermont. She was 85 years old.
Betsy was born in Hyannis, Massachusetts on October 3, 1937. Her parents were Nanneen P. Rebori of Chicago and Theodore "Ted" Frothingham of Bass River, Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Children, teaching and education were themes that ran through Betsy's life, inspired by her mother Nanneen who was a Chicago public school teacher for almost 20 years. Betsy served as Director of the Park Avenue Christian Day School and the International Play Group. "Miss Betsy" was particularly proud of her early education contributions to the International Play Group which served preschool children of United Nations personnel and families from overseas. Both organizations continue their educational missions today as the Park Children's Day School and the International Preschools both in New York City.
Another significant influence on Betsy's life was the work and example of her maternal grandfather, Andrew N. Rebori, the noted Chicago architect. Rebori's career, from the 1920s until his death in 1966, produced a number of Chicago landmark buildings that still stand today.
Growing up Betsy attended the Girls Latin School and the Faulkner School, both in Chicago. She graduated with highest honors from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois and with a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT degree) from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She went on to study at London University and at the Alliance Française in Paris. Still later, she received her Ph.D. in Education Administration from New York University.
On June 4, 1966 Betsy married Cahal Hooker O'Malley who was an officer with U.S. Trust. The two children from that marriage were Niall Huntington O'Malley and Oisin Longfellow O'Malley before ending in divorce. On December 18, 1977, Betsy married William Henry Lammers, Jr. who was the Associate Director of Admissions at New York University. That marriage ended in divorce.
In later life, Betsy developed a love for Nova Scotia, Canada and started a summer house rental business on Hemlow Island, Liscomb and Spanish Ship Bay along the Eastern Shore region.
Betsy is survived by her brother Nat Frothingham of Montpelier, Vermont, and two sons, Niall O'Malley of Baltimore, Maryland and Oisin O'Malley of Dublin, Ireland. A family memorial service will be held in Montpelier, Vermont in July.