Elizabeth Ann Esser

November 12, 1930 ~ June 4, 2021

Elizabeth Ann Esser (Betsey) passed away peacefully on June 4, 2021 at Mills Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame, California, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in San Francisco on November 12, 1930, and was raised by her parents, Norine and Albert Elledge. She attended Lincoln High School, and Mary’s Help College of Nursing, keeping her license current until she was well into her 80’s.

Betsey married her high school sweetheart, Bernie Esser in San Francisco on June 27, 1952. They had three children – sons Brooks (Stacey) and Brandt (Linda), and daughter Barrie (Kevin). Lifetime memories were made as the family spent summers at Lake Tahoe. She supervised the 3 children in the lake like a lifeguard, even though she never learned to swim. She was determined to give the kids a good start in life ensuring that each child graduated from college whether they wanted to or not. She was a devoted wife, spending many days at Giants games with Bernie and was even willing to move to South Carolina to support his growing career. She loved and cared for Bernie until his passing in June of 2013.

As the family grew, Betsey quickly earned the title of Granny and expanded her loving care to her three grandchildren, Brett Esser, Kacey Zuvella and Corey Snodgrass, as well as their spouses Jess Esser and Shane Zuvella. Christmas traditions of gifts, hors d’oeuvres, and champagne at the family place in the country occurred each year as the family gathered to celebrate.

Betsey will always be remembered for her love of flowers and birds but most of all her love for her dogs. She leaves behind her companion, Brandi, who she often referred to as the “best dog in the whole world”. She loved pastries, pies, ice cream and anything chocolate and was an avid

Nordstrom shopper. We will miss meeting her at Stanford Shopping Center for a fun day of shopping and lunch. And those shopping sprees were never about her, but instead everyone else in her family. She was always focused on ensuring others had what they needed and truly enjoyed watching someone else receive an unexpected gift.

She was a strong positive influence on all of the family, encouraging each of us in any way that she could. As she aged, the family was able to care for and support her as she had taught us how to do all so well. She became more joyful as time went on. She was blessed with the arrival of two Great-Grandchildren, Bennett and Bowen Esser and enjoyed hearing the stories of how Brett and Jess were raising them. She will leave a huge void in her family’s lives and they will miss her dearly but her positive spirit will live with them forever. We are comforted by the fact that Betsey is back in the arms of Bernie where she started at age 15. And where we know Bernie has been anxiously awaiting to get her back out to ballgames! There will be a private family service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Betsey’s name to the St. Jude, Children’s Research Hospital.

To all that knew and loved her, just relax and be careful.