Bottino Arenella, Betsy

Betsy Bottino Arenella was minding her own business as a suburban stay-at-home mom when her best friend’s one-year-old daughter, Sophia, died suddenly in her sleep.  The grief of Sophia’s then-three-year-old sister Isabelle spurred Betsy to action.  Several  months after Sophia’s death, Betsy created Isabelle’s Dream:  A Story and Activity Book for a Child’s Grief Journey (November 2007, Quality of Life Publishing), which takes the reader on a heartwarming journey from grief to hope.

In the story, Sophia visits Isabelle in a dream.  Through the beauties of nature, Sophia shows Isabelle the earthly joys that still await her and reassures that they will be sisters forever.  Redbook magazine featured Isabelle’s Dream in its December 2007 issue.

In memory of Sophia Zartarian Nagle, Betsy is donating all royalties from the sale of Isabelle’s Dream to the national charitable SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood) Program (www.sudc.org).  To learn more about Sophia’s life and the birth of Isabelle’s Dream, visit www.isabellesdream.org.

Betsy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.  She spent 14 years as a writer, editor, public-relations manager and media spokesperson in the Boston area before becoming a stay-at-home mother of two and a freelance writer. 

Betsy is a member of the national Association for Death Education and Counseling and of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization.

 Review by The Needham Times