Farewell, Betsy Lautman

by Lauren Schneider, LCSW Clinical Director of Child and Adolescent Programs

The OUR HOUSE community was deeply impacted this month by the death of one of our first Children’s Program Volunteers, Betsy Lautman. Betsy was so much more than a treasured volunteer group leader. She was our founder Jo-Ann Lautman’s daughter, a gifted grief therapist, and my friend. 

Betsy brought her gentle yet playful approach to the taboo topic of grief, making it comfortable for the children in her Littles groups to share the details of the lives and deaths of their parents. She also taught me how to be the supervisor the group leaders needed when I came to the tiny agency on Westwood Boulevard back in 2001. When Betsy opened her own private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist, she gave up her volunteer role, but not her passion for serving grieving families. 

We referred Our House families who could benefit from private therapy to Betsy’s practice for many years. We were confident they would receive just the right kind of help they needed in her capable hands, in addition to their grief support group. We know that she had a positive impact on so many people’s lives. 

Betsy was passionate about getting the most out of life and enjoyed her time with family, many close friends, her beloved dogs, and her life partner, Scott.  We will all remember Betsy for her good-humored cheerfulness, her keen interest in others, and her zest for life.