Betty K. Staley

AUGUST 8, 1938 - JANUARY 5, 2025 .

Elizabeth J. Beaven, Ed.D.

Betty Staley dedicated her adult life to Waldorf education and anthroposophy. She was born in the Bronx, New York, the second of three children born to Eastern European immigrant parents, Israel and Ethel Kletsky. The family was very poor, but Betty recalled her childhood as happy. Her father was a passionate believer in social justice. He instilled values in young Betty that would last her entire life, including a responsibility to practice deeds of Tikkun Olam or “healing the world”, the need for action as well as thoughts, the importance of education and teachers, secular Judaism, and the values of her Eastern European roots. Betty’s family moved from the Bronx to Florida for several years when she was a young teenager, widening her horizons through exposure to racial discrimination, engagement in sports, and discovering teachers who were warm and kind. The family returned to New York when Betty was 16 for more rigorous schooling so she could prepare for, then enter, City College of New York. Two additional events significantly influenced her early life: the tragic death of her older brother and her mother’s and sister’s developmental challenges.

City College opened the doors to the next phase of Betty’s life. There, she met and fell in love with Franklin Kane. She also met Professor Stewart Easton, who took a keen interest in the young couple and introduced them to anthroposophy and Waldorf education. Her life was filled with young love, academics, and anthroposophical study groups. As college came to an end, Betty and Franklin married and set sail for England to embark on Waldorf teacher education at Michael Hall School. Betty later described her experience at Michael Hall as the fulcrum and guide of her life. Holidays were spent eagerly exploring Europe on a budget, inspiring a lifetime enthusiasm for travel. At the conclusion of teacher training, Betty and Franklin spent a year teaching in a home for children with special needs. They returned to the US to await the birth of their first child, Andrea, initially settling in the Kimberton Waldorf School, PA, community, where their family grew with the birth of their son, George.

In 1965, the “Kimberton Five”, Betty, Franklin, and three other teachers moved to Sacramentoto take on the task of rebuilding the young but struggling Sacramento Waldorf School. Sacramento and Fair Oaks would be Betty’s home and community for the rest of her eventful life. Two years after they arrived, their third child, Sonya, was born. Betty taught at the school – handwork, early childhood, and grades – and, true to her early years, engaged in civil rights activities in the 1960s. In the early 1970s, Betty founded and pioneered the Sacramento Waldorf High School. She immersed herself in all aspects of high school teaching and remained in contact with many of her students throughout her life. They recall her as a passionate, energetic, warm, and demanding teacher –perhaps a combination of her own school years in New York and Florida.

Betty was a founder of Rudolf Steiner College, Fair Oaks, in 1976. The College would become another cornerstone of her life and work for the next four decades. There, she educated and inspired many Waldorf teachers. Betty’s marriage to Franklin ended in 1980. Betty recalled her decision following the divorce that she would lead an “interesting life” – which she most certainly did. She married Jim Staley two years later; more travel followed with Jim and with groups of students. Betty and Jim shared a love for Eastern Europe, spending 1992-93 in Latvia, Poland, and Russia. She connected with Waldorf schools wherever she went, interviewing those she met and providing advice.

Betty was a leader in the expansion of Waldorf into public schools. Here, despite criticism, she displayed characteristic courage for what she believed to be true: the need for broader access, and the goal of social change through Waldorf education. Betty provided tremendous support to the expansion of Waldorf education and was still a member of the Board of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education at the time of her death.

Betty was active as a national and international speaker, author, advisor, school founder, author, biographer, and mentor. Her books were written in a straightforward, accessible style and continue to have a significant impact on teachers and parents. She maintained an unwavering interest in the next generation, what they are bringing, and what they need. Education and genuine interest in others were her way of healing the world.

Betty’s final months reflected her deep commitment to inner work, self-development, and active will. Last August, she traveled in Norway with her daughter, Sonya, then had time with her and her family in Switzerland. This was followed by time with her son, George, and his family in Boston. October brought meetings of the Pedagogical Section Council; Betty had been a member for over 40 years. Through this time, she continued to write, completing an autobiography that was drawn from her detailed journals and focused on her life as a Waldorf educator. Her hands were seldom idle; knitting and puzzles were part of her life. She participated actively in at least two study groups – one on the karma lectures - and enjoyed visits with friends and former students. Her life review was underway.

When she received a diagnosis of cancer at the beginning of Advent, she courageously began the final steps of her earthly journey. She was not afraid to die, noting that she had enjoyed a wonderful, full life. She remained committed to Tikkun Olam to the end of her life; her final, short list of things needing attention included ensuring the continued sponsorship of a student in Kenya. She had built a village of family, neighbors, friends, colleagues, and former students and this supported her to the end. She had time to say goodbye; in her final days, it was clear that she was traveling again, going towards a spiritual reality as she left this earthly one. Betty crossed the threshold quietly on Twelfth Night.

Now it is up to us, her friends and colleagues to carry forward her inclusive, inquiring, active work in the spirit of repairing the world.

Betty was preceded in death by husbands Franklin Kane and Jim Staley, and daughter Andrea Kane. She is survived by her son George (Ann) and daughter Sonya (Paul Bingaman), grandchildren Adam, Ben, and Louisa Kane and Katherine and Charles Bingaman, and her stepson Jim Jr. (Ira) and her grandson Mike.

May her memory be a blessing. And grace will lead us home.