Elizabeth G. Gerig (Betty)

Long time Santa Barbara resident Betty Gerig died on July 22, 2021. She was born January 11, 1939 to Mary and Oliver Gray and was raised in Greeneville, TN. She graduated with a BA in mathematics from the College of Wooster, Ohio in 1960 and married her classmate, John T. Gerig, a year later.

After four years teaching mathematics in Providence, RI while her husband was enrolled in graduate school at Brown University, the couple and their first daughter Beth moved to Pasadena, CA. There a second daughter, Theresa, was born. The family moved to Santa Barbara, CA in 1966.

Betty was active as a mother and a community volunteer throughout her life. She served on the Board of Trustees of the Hope School District, on the board of the UCSB Faculty Women’s Club, was a Girl Scout Troop Leader and was among the founders of the annual Planned Parenthood Book Sale.

She worked as a legal secretary for 20 years. After retirement she volunteered for several groups, most devotedly in several volunteer capacities at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for over 25 years.

Betty is survived by her husband, John Thomas Gerig; daughter Elizabeth Gerig Rowley and her husband Steve; daughter Theresa Gerig Murawski and her husband Mark; and two grandsons, Troy D. Murawski and Tyler I. Murawski.

No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends that donations in Betty’s honor be made to the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.