Elizabeth P. Estill-Bissell

Elizabeth P. Estill-Bissell went home to be with the Lord on August 24th, 2020 at age 88. She died peacefully in her home in Rancho Palos Verdes. In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, Betty also loved teaching science. Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God and fascination with life itself that He created, which she often shared with great enthusiasm! A memorial service was held September 11, 2020 at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills, CA.
Elizabeth "Betty" was born on April 19, 1932 in Chicago Illinois to George L. Perusse and Henrietta M. Bird. She has one sister, Margot Kirby. Her father was a prestigious doctor in World War 2, and later served the community in Chicago, many times on a volunteer basis to help those in need. Betty went with her father to work on occasion, which exposed her to medicine and science.
Betty studied Biology and graduated from Lake Forrest College in 1954. She then moved to Los Angeles California for graduate studies at UCLA. Betty married her first husband, Donald Barber, and had 3 children. Betty excelled in teaching and was Aviation High School Teacher of the Year after her 3rd year. She had her own television show on KCOP Channel 13 called "Exploring Biology". Later she became head of the Science Department at Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach. She shared life's adventure with two other wonderful husbands, Sidney Estill and Henry Bissell.
Betty was guided by her Christian faith in the Lord. She served as Deacon at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Westchester. She volunteered at the food bank, led a fellowship group "flock", and supported several disabled individuals as their Care Partner. Betty is a wonderful person and is loved by all that knew her. Betty joins her parents, husband Donald, Sidney, Henry, and her brother-in-law, Doug Kerby, who had already passed. Betty is survived by her three sons Darren, Gregory and Todd Barber, daughter's in-law Shelly, Janet, and Jane, and grandchildren Jennifer, Kimberly, Courtney, Caleb and Rachel.