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Elizabeth ‘Betse’ Kirkland Rockwood, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother died peacefully on June 26, 2025. The daughter of Arden Elizabeth and Samuel Kirkland, she was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania on May 18, 1937. Betse grew up riding horses in the still-rural suburbs of Philadelphia and became a decorated equestrian. She found in the outdoors the presence of the Divine and a call to serve, which stayed with her throughout her life. Betse followed two paths into adulthood: she debuted in Philadelphia and Baltimore to the delight of her parents and then, to her own delight, entered the Lankenau School of Nursing. Her nursing studies were cut short, however, when she met the love of her life – Bill Rockwood - at a July 4th celebration in Galveston, Texas while visiting her aunt. Betse and Bill married a few months later, a union that continued for 46 years until Bill’s death in 2002. Betse established their home in Texas and set about encouraging the world around her to realize its capacity for love. While raising three children, she published two books on Christian prayer that had multiple printings in multiple languages. Betse also led as a layperson in the Episcopal Church for decades, including a term as President of the Women of Christ Church in San Antonio. At the age of 76, Betse graduated from the Oblate School of Theology with two degrees in Pastoral Ministry. Betse was then received into consecrated life with the Oblate Missionaries of Mary Immaculate as a secular nun continuing to live and work in the world as Christ’s committed servant. She put the degrees to work immediately and continued until sidelined by illness. Betse is survived by her children, Shelly Gunn and husband Bob, Robert Rockwood and wife Meg, and Lindsay Irvin and husband Lennie. She was proud grandma Betse “GMB” to eight grandsons: Robert Christian, Stewart and Gibson Gunn; William, Graham and Aidan Rockwood; and Lawrence and Joseph Irvin. She was also the proud great-grandmother of Annabel, Fisher, and Sabrina Gunn. Betse is predeceased by her parents, brother Faris “T” Kirkland and sister Polly. Her siblings Narelle and Bill Kirkland survive her. We are so grateful for the loving care provided by Visiting Angels of San Antonio, especially Holly Willis, the incredible team at Aging Gracefully, and Heart of Texas Hospice.

Tributes

Elizabeth 'Betse' Kirkland Rockwood

May 18, 1937 - June 26, 2025