Betsy A. Brooker, 50, Made Career in Cooking

Betsy A. Brooker died on Oct. 18 at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston after a short illness. She was born on Oct. 20, 1954, and was the daughter of Horace and Mabel Brooker of Vineyard Haven.

Betsy was a graduate of Martha's Vineyard Regional High School. She had many friends, and married one of them, Richard (Dickie) Boyd in 1977. Betsy and Dickie had a lot of good times together camping and riding motorcycles. They had two children: Scott Curtis, born in 1980, and Heather Brooker born in 1983. Betsy was a devoted and loving mother. She was an excellent cook and baker. Her skills in the kitchen led her to a career in cooking, including at the Black Dog, Morning Glory Farm, and the Seafood Shanty. Betsy had a real passion for horses in her youth, and rode at Tashmoo Farm. She kept two horses of her own, and won many ribbons. Her love of animals was not limited to horses. Betsy could often be seen in the company of one of her many dogs (all bigger than she was!) at the beach during the summer months. Over the years, she also had birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, many cats and a turtle. Betsy was also an avid gardener and enjoyed sharing the fruits of her labor. She was married for the second time to longtime friend Arthur (Artie) Conway in Barbados in 2000.

Betsy was predeceased by her mother, Mabel Brooker, and her sister, Nancy Blankenship. Her loss is felt by her father, Horace Brooker, her children Scott and Heather Boyd, her husband, Arthur Conway, and her nieces, Meredith Gallo and Beth Blankenship.

Betsy's sparkling personality and genuine sweetness will be missed by all who knew her.

A memorial service for Betsy will be held in the future at a date to be announced.