Elizabeth Anne (aka Betty) Sachleben was born in Hempstead, NY to her parents John & Gladys Sachleben, joining her brother Jack. Betty was accepted to Cornell University, she graduated with a degree in elementary school education. During her freshman year she met a handsome upper classman named John (Jack) Van Horn. They married in August 1959.
Betty & Jack moved to Norwich Vermont in the early 1960s to settle down and have a family. By the end 1965 Betty & Jack had two children, Ruth & David.
Betty worked at the Norwich Elementary School as a kindergarten and first grade teacher. She eventually specialized in Kindergarten education after her own children started school. Betty retired in 1993 after teaching for over 25 years. My favorite memory of my mom at school was hearing her in the hallway near the teacher's lounge and laughing, mostly with Betty Edson.
Betty had many other activites to keep her busy outside of her job and family.
A signifcant part of her life was spent volunteering in different aspects of the Norwich Congregational Church. She was a part-time organist and full time Junior Choir Director. She also sang in the Senior Choir, was a Sunday School teacher and spent many hours helping the state wide Congregational Church Organization.
Betty's love of music pulled her in many directions. Teaching piano to children was a particular love of hers and there are many people in and around Norwich that can claim they had Betty Van Horn as a Kindergarten teacher and a piano teacher. She also enjoyed the theater and had parts in various musical productions. A favorite activity was playing the organ in the last act of the Revels Christmas Service for several years.
After retiring from teaching Betty still had her musical fingers in the education of young singers. She enjoyed playing the piano for the elementary school chorus. She continued to teach private piano lessons in her home for several years.
Betty was always a happy and generous person with so much love to give and we will miss her greatly.