Betty Kadri

May 23, 1939 – January 9, 2025 – Born Virginia Elizabeth Lilleland May 23,1938 in Sacramento, California, died January 9, 2025 in Berkeley, CA

Betty grew up in Davis, California. Her mother Virginia was a librarian and her father Omund was a professor of Pomology at UC Davis. She graduated in 1960 with a degree in Child Development from U.C. Berkeley

In 1961, Betty married a fellow UC Berkeley graduate from India — Salahuddin (Sal) Kadri.

She taught school for several years, and she and Sal started a family in Los Gatos, California — then moving with Jamal and Tia to Ft Wayne, Indiana, Schenectady, New York, Fayetteville, New York, New Almaden, California, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in support of Sal’s career with G.E.. They eventually settled in Lake Oswego, Oregon, where they lived for over 30 years.

In Lake Oswego she started a 4H chapter and was an AFS Intercultural Programs local coordinator; hosting her AFS daughter Nico from Portugal and helping students make life-long connections and embrace new cultures. She was a great cook and hostess and created a warm home where all were welcome.

Betty is survived by her husband Sal; her sister Ardath; her children Jamal and Tia, her daughter and son in law Kate and Luke; and her grandchildren Anabel, Marisa, Samara, Anisa, Grace and Elise. She will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched.

A service to celebrate Betty’s life will be held at the UC Berkeley Alumni House on May 23, 2025 at 10:00 am. For additional information email jamalandkate@gmail.com