Betty Steel Memorial, July 9th, 10AM

A Memorial Service will be held for Betty Steel on Monday, July 9, 10:00 A.M. in the Chalice UU Chapel, 2324 Miller Ave., Escondido CA. Rev. Jim Grant will be officiating.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Betty Steel (nee Margaret Elizabeth Stickney) was born in Lynn, MA on Valentine’s Day, 1915-a true gift of love. She spent her youth in Buffalo, NY. Upon graduating from Western Reserve University with a BS in elementary education she began her teaching career in Wooster, Ohio, and later taught at the University of Chicago Nursery School.

She first met Bob Steel the man who would become the ‘love of her life’ in 1930 while vacationing with her family in ‘Greyrock’ in Ontario, Canada. Both families spent summers at family homes in Canada and shared many family activities-dinners, water sports and performing plays. It would take 9 years for Bob to meet his Dad’s requirements before they could marry. The requirements were to graduate from college, obtain a job, and save a years salary which was $1,000 in 1939. Both Betty and Bob felt the wait was worth it and on August 19, 1939 they were married in the backyard of a family home in Orchard Park, NY. They moved to the Chicago area and stayed there for the next 38 years.

Betty and Bob were proud parents of three girls, Peg born in October of 1943, Marcia followed Peg in 1950 and then Ginny in 1953. After the birth of their Daughters, Betty dedicated her life to her family and children.

Bob and Betty traveled widely as part of Bob’s business including a trip to Europe aboard the Queen Elizabeth First visiting London, Amsterdam, Hamburg, England, Scotland and Paris. They later vacationed throughout Europe. They also traveled in Canada and the United States, including trips throughout the Southwest United States collecting Native American art.

Betty and Bob moved to Rancho Bernardo in 1978 and enjoyed a long and happy retirement. Bob died July, 2003. Sometime later About one year later Betty moved to Casa de las Campanas where she lived until her death June 29, 2007.

Betty was a kind, loving, generous person. She was always willing to open her home to new church members and neighbors or anyone in need. She and Bob had a deep sense of social responsibility and were very active in the Unitarian Church on various committees including the caring and welcoming committees.

Betty had wide-ranging interests. She loved playing bridge and at one point had at least 3 different groups. She had a “green thumb,” growing healthy, beautiful plants and flowers.

Betty loved chocolate in any form as well as ice cream. She loved the color blue.

But most of all she loved her family. She loved being a Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother. She took great delight in her grandson, Scott’s, athletic and scholastic accomplishments.

For more information contact:

Colleen Wells
Administrator
Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation
(760) 737-0393