Ruth "Betsey" Macleod Johnson

Ruth MacLeod “Betsey” Johnson, died peacefully on May 18, 2025, after a months long effort to recover from the effects of a fall suffered in early December 2024. She had made it back to the home she loved in Amherst in early March so that she could be surrounded by the love and care of family and dear friends. This was very meaningful to her and to her family.

Ruth Elizabeth MacLeod, known when she was growing up as Ruth Betsey and later simply as Betsey, was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 20, 1926, the third of four children and only girl. Her parents, Norman and Marjorie MacLeod moved East when Betsey was four, settling first in Longmeadow, MA and then moving to a farm in South Amherst because they thought Longmeadow was too sophisticated. Their original home, right next to the Congregational Church on the green is standing still. Betsey and her brothers had farm chores they had to attend to before and after school. Betsey was responsible for collecting eggs and she hated those chickens. But she also had a horse, Jim, which in part made up for the other distasteful parts of farm life!

Betsey was educated in the Amherst public schools. She was a self-described book worm and did not feel that she was particularly popular in part because of her thick glasses. She also didn’t feel that she was an exceptional student, explaining that her admission to Radcliffe was no big deal back then. When she got to Harvard, where her brother John was in medical school, she suddenly found herself the center of attention with many adoring admirers! The one who prevailed was Chadwick Johnson, a Harvard Law student from Philadelphia whom she met at what they called a “jolly up” or mixer.

Chad and Betsey were married in June 1950 and went on to have six children. Betsey started her career as a teacher in suburban Philadelphia, before Chad’s career in the foreign service took them abroad for stretches at a time. They lived in Naples, Italy, Hamburg, Germany and Tokyo, Japan, before settling somewhat permanently in Bethesda, Maryland. Betsey taught elementary school in Tokyo at the Nishimachi School, in Bethesda at Sidwell Friends and in Amherst at the Common School. Her classroom levels ranged from kindergarten to fourth grade. She was a much loved teacher who also deeply loved what she did. At various points over the years in both Bethesda and in Amherst, former students would come up to her reminding her that she had been their favorite teacher.

Betsey would say that some of her happiest times were when she and Chad moved back to Amherst in 1988. It was a perfect place for two self-described leftist liberals to practice their social activism. They were active members of the Unitarian Universalist Society including as members of the Social Justice Committee. Betsey and Chad were instrumental in starting the Amherst Homeless Shelter and the fundraiser, Shelter Sunday, where each household was asked to contribute $1. Betsey had lots of friends from all parts of her life - the foreign service, teaching, her childrens’ friends, the UU, etc. She and Chad belonged to book groups and play reading groups and Betsey stoked her love of learning as part of the Learning in Retirement program in Amherst. Betsey was the primary caregiver for many years for her mother, Marjorie, who lived to be 106 achieving her goal of living through three centuries!

Betsey would say that the fundamental happiness in her life came from her marriage to Chad and her children. She considered herself the luckiest of human beings to have them and her grandchildren and great grandchildren in her life and loved them all unequivocally. Chad and Betsey loved nothing more than family gatherings in Amherst or in Brewster on the Cape and otherwise being with their extended family. They had a tradition of hosting each of the three oldest grandkids with a friend for a week every summer. The inner teacher in Betsey made her a standout grandmother.

Chad died in 2010, about 6 weeks after they had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with the entire family. Betsey was incredibly resilient and continued to live independently at their home in South Amherst, participating in her community through the UU, the book and play reading groups and her standing Friday bridge game. Those who knew her well would marvel at her ability to liven up and make enjoyable any social situation. She showed interest in others wanting to know details about their lives while sharing the same about hers. She could converse on a wide range of subjects and was always up for learning more. That said, she was also open to feedback and constructive criticism! She was an eternal optimist and rarely complained about anything - including during the long isolation period of Covid and her most recent trying ordeal. She was extremely disciplined and had what she called her daily “bounds” or things she was “bound” to do. When people commented that she was inspirational to them, she always shrugged, but she was very proud of her grit and determination. Until her fall, she cooked for herself, did her daily walks with her sticks up and down her driveway and while social, was also very comfortable curled up with a good book, watching PBS or otherwise just enjoying her own company.

Betsy was pre-deceased by her son David. She leaves behind her loving children who she did truly inspire and who feel very lucky to have had her in their lives for as long as they did: Andrew (Kathy); Sara (Eric); Emily; Jeffery (Michele); Mark (Karen), as well as her grandchildren, Shannon (Dustin); Sophie (Dane); Sam; Chad; Jenna; Juliana; Zachary; Rachel and great-grandchildren: Torin, Jack and Hayes. Betsey donated her body to the Harvard Medical School. A memorial service will be planned for sometime later this summer. Contributions can be made to a charity of your choice or to the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst.