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

There are a wide variety of discussion groups that you might be interested in attending over the summer:

• Women’s Book Discussion
• Chalice Readers
• Summer Forum
• Women’s Meditation and Buddhist Study Group

Women’s Book Discussion

Penny Gerritsen & Christy Trigeiro

On Tuesday, June 19th at 7:15 pm we will discuss On Becoming Fearless by Arianna Huffington.  In July, we will read and discuss The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle. 

New participants are always welcome. Call Christy at 619-464- 7889 or Penny at 760-591-4824 for more information.

Chalice Readers

Mary Pomerene & John Drewe

On June 29th, we will discuss Children of God by Mary Doria Russell. The discussion on this strikingly original, richly plotted book will be led by Mary Pomerene.  

Questions? Call Mary or John.

Summer Forum

The Forum meets at 10:15 Sundays at Chalice. The Forum topics for Sundays in June:

• Election Reform/Clean Elections,
• Immigration,
• the Separation of Church and State and
• Privatization of Prisons.  

Please review these topics and if you are interested in facilitating the discussion please contact John Gaunt. Each facilitator should bring some information about the topic in order to begin the discussion. Contact John  858-487-8367  to volunteer and check
summer topics for July and August.

The guidelines for the Forum:

1. All who are attending get 1-2 minutes to express their thoughts.
2. The facilitator is responsible for a discussion where all who wish to
   speak are encouraged.

Women’s Meditation and Buddhist Study Group

Sali Weiss

On the first, third and fourth Wednesdays of the month a Women’s Meditation and Buddhist Study Group meets at Chalice. The group meets at 10 am and “sits” for about 45 minutes. Then, at 11 am we discuss Buddhism, its philosophy and how it can impact us daily. 

This study is not about the religion of Buddhism, but about how we can become more “present” in our daily activities and learn to enjoy every minute of every day. We have a lively discussion based on the book Buddhism Without Beliefs and will be studying from other sources  in the future. The group is open to all women. If you are interested in deepening your meditation practice and/or joining our group discussions, please contact Sali at 619-519-1188.