Elizabeth (Betty) Grosswendt; Retired Teacher

Elizabeth (Betty) Grosswendt, who taught at Chaminade College Preparatory High School for nine years, has died in Westlake Village. She was 65.

A longtime resident of Agoura Hills, Mrs. Grosswendt died Saturday of complications resulting from liver, kidney and lung problems, said her son, Michael Grosswendt.

Born Elizabeth Tourtelot on July 22, 1925, in Oak Park, Ill., she received a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana and a master’s degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. From 1968 until 1977, she taught English and Latin at Chaminade College Preparatory High School in Canoga Park, where she was chairwoman of the English department and was one of the founders of the variety show.

She is survived by her sons Michael Grosswendt of Malibu, Joseph Grosswendt of Malibu, Pat Grosswendt of Agoura Hills and Hub Grosswendt of Kailua, Hawaii; daughters Mary Perdue of Agoura Hills, Kathleen Wilhelm of Mill Valley, Calif., and Meg Grosswendt of New York City; brothers Robert Tourtelot of Los Angeles and Richard Tourtelot of Pensacola, Fla.; and seven grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m. today at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church, 3625 S. Winter Canyon Road in Malibu. Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Mortuary in Westlake Village is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Mrs. Grosswendt’s name to Our Lady of Malibu Catholic School.