Elizabeth “Betsy” Elmore Vigus, age 91, a long-time resident of Fullerton, CA passed peacefully at her home on February 8, 2022 after a brief illness. Betsy was preceded in death by her loving husband of 47 years, Vincent A. Vigus in 2001.

Born in 1930 to John and Elizabeth “Betty” Elmore, Betsy grew up in San Gabriel and San Marino, CA along with her older brother John Elmore. She attended Alhambra High School and Pasadena City College. Betsy graduated from UCLA in 1952 with a BA in Art Education. While at UCLA she participated in water ballet and won an award in fashion design. In 1954 she completed post-graduate work in Early Childhood Education and earned her secondary teaching credential from UC Santa Barbara. She taught Kindergarten at Garfield Elementary school, Santa Barbara, CA from 1953-1956. She helped train new teachers as a demonstration teacher in 1956.

Betsy married Vincent Vigus in 1953 and they moved to Fullerton in 1956 when Vince was hired to teach at Fullerton College. Betsy taught Kindergarten at Fern Drive Elementary School in Fullerton until the birth of their first child in 1957.

Betsy was a loving mother who was active and supportive in many of her children’s activities, participating in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts along with camping and backpacking in the high Sierras. Betsy was a Girl Scout Leader for over 12 years and went by her camp name of O.J. She was a co-leader of a Brownie Troop, Junior Troop 1039 and Cadette Troop 509 with Esther Fett until 1978. She continued her support of Girl Scouts in later years as a member of OWLS, a group of former Girl Scout Leaders supporting Fullerton Girl Scouts since 1979.

Betsy was an artist working in many different mediums. She generously lent her talents to the many organizations she belonged to. Along with ceramics and papier-mache, she was an early user of computers and skilled in computer graphics and design. She worked hard to stay current with the latest computer software programs even up into her early 90’s. She was known for being the go-to technology expert to her friends and family, helping them with their iPad, cell phones and computer questions.

She was a licensed amateur radio operator and a former member of the Fullerton Radio Club along with her late husband Vince. She was active in many community organizations and held many board positions over the years. She was a member of the Orange County Historical Society along with her husband starting in the mid 1980’s and was the editor for the County Courier newsletter from 1997 to 2013. At the Historical Society she served as curator and program chair. She was Vice President in 2013 and 2014. She was also a member and newsletter editor for California Retired Teachers Association, Division 41 right up until her death.

Betsy was very involved in her beloved PEO since 1976 and a member of chapter QG in Fullerton since 1996. She supported PEO’s mission of the advancement of women, raising funds to help women pursue their education and promoting fellowship with her PEO sisters. Betsy held many positions in PEO. In her final years she was busy as the treasurer, yearbook editor, and Zoom meeting host for her chapter.

Betsy loved games, especially group card games. Much to the surprise of new players, she was not above slapping your hand if you tried to “take her cards.” She was a skilled scrabble player and loved to learn words and word origins.

Betsy was an avid reader, lover of history and music, gardener, and member of the Palm Society and Cal State Fullerton Music Associates. She could entertain you with stories of local history of almost anywhere in Southern California along with telling you the name of the palms along the way.

Betsy was a bright star in the life of her family, friends and community. She modeled positivity, generosity, kindness and graciousness. Some of her favorite sayings were to remind her children that “we don’t always know what other people are going through” and “most people are  doing the best they can.” She will be greatly missed but her spirit lives on with her family and friends and in the many lives she touched.

Betsy is survived by her three children: David Vigus, of Laguna Niguel, CA; Susi Vigus Evans, of San Diego, CA; and Jane Vigus York, of Fullerton, CA. She is also survived by her three grandchildren, Chris Vigus, Meagan Vigus and Julia York and two step-grandchildren, Jennifer Evans Wong and Don Evans. Betsy was predeceased by her brother, Dr. John Elmore of Center Harbor, NH in 2006 and her husband Vincent A. Vigus in 2001.

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