Elizabeth (Betty) DeWitt Bardsley of Irvine, CA passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, December 30th, she was 93. Elizabeth lived the last 10 years of her life in Irvine, CA. Prior to that she lived in Pembroke Pines, Florida for over 50 years, with her beloved husband, the late James E. L. Bardsley. She is survived by her daughters, Ann Bardsley Sides and Kathleen Bardsley; her son, Dr. James R. Bardsley; and her foster son, Jorge Padron.

Elizabeth was a poet and a teacher, a lover of the written word. She taught English and related subjects in the Catholic school system of the Diocese of Miami for almost 40 years. Her book of poetry was published in honor of her 90th birthday in 2009. She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Education from Worcester State Teachers College and her Masters of Education from Barry University.

She and her husband, Jim, enjoyed a lively retirement, filling it with volunteer work for St. Vincent DePaul society, reading and tennis. They loved traveling. Every summer they went to London for two weeks and saw a different play or musical every night. They enjoyed friends, good TV, books, their succession of cats, and cocktail of Canadian Club as the sun went down.

After Jim's death in 2002, Elizabeth (Betty) relocated to California and there enjoyed making new friends and attending St. Thomas More Parish of Irvine, CA. She took pleasure in her final years in California and was much loved by all who knew her. Hers was a life well lived.

Funeral Mass will be at 9:30am on Friday, Jan. 4 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 51 Marketplace, Irvine, CA 92602.