Beth Blanchette Book - Cabrillo College

Beth
A lener to Ben, Sam, Jake and Nick
fom Grandma Pany
Beth Lolaire Bknchette
1959
- 1981

Arthor\ Nok
It ba! tal

To nlsa boy - Bcx, Szn lahe ad Ni.k,
lr hs bcn svcnren yeaE snEe rour Amt Bdh died. I tnow the four of),ou have h€rd
her mN many tim$ bur I also Imw you do not /.,/4 know ndch about hd - ts
$sencc and hd spnir,I am hoping thn httd will propedy indoduce her to tou.
For some nr*plicablc rson, Bdh qDE honc fron speaking to a Dedh and Dying ddr
r Cabrillo and sid shd6 dnid she \lould be forgotren. Afaid thrt ve {outd ptrt xway
ali picnu€s offt! dc. Hd ldr dtrn {hih ftier& rnd frmil},ftmed in b nisn, l Nenr
rhroush aU ou slid$ and phob nbums alld clos rhe pi.tures for c huse picrure
colhse h si,rg on $"ill in n) hone. She krs I w6 doins rhis.ltlough she did,it live
long .noush ro se rhe 0nished prodtrd tharjudy Stenovich pur togshd for s. And hq€
vc all aE, s*enreen I eas larer, csilr EnembdrS h* in wods io shtue wnh the four or
l.ledr Lotrke vas bon rt l13l in rhe Dorning on Fridat April lT, r959 in a por6nolrh,
Ne\{ Hdnpshire hosptul. she veished 7 tbs. 3 oz and v4 21" tong. Shc v4 born on
Gnndna Marior Bhnchctrc's bnrhdar Tlq' wsc borh Aies ald left-landed. Some of
the Afts oais dnr fir !trh sde 'unusually fliedly with foretul mannci, a firn fiand-
"
clasp and an in$ant smile... .wil gght vhd ftey fel is an injutice and nor be bshtul
aboutvoi.ingopinions...verydnect, bhnt...beable to dran the inpo$ible dream dd
nake ir ohe tue.' (&om Linda Goodnd's sn s,r,t
CEndpa Ror and I had be€n n{rGd rlmos four ),€rs ryhen Bdh rvas born. \ve Mned
unril he had ecived ln bachelorii desree { the Uniyqsiq, ofNew Hanpshirc. we wtre
very happy to have hcr cone into ou liys and sddl). I Ered . snl bedK I'd had rhe
nanc Bdh picked our for a long dm€. Prcbablr Eading abour B erh i^ Lnde Wahe"
nJlucn-d me (hen I ws young. Her middle mne tnuisc wd Gnndna Eyeb,n Bailey:
sugE$tion, td'm)'AuntLouise (Prok p).
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ldh ws chi$ened ii r rddborough, Neq HahpshiE,
Unit{hn Churh rndvore xchrnreninggown won bymr
lirher Crardpr L$er Llailet I nill hrve lhc gown hcr. in !,),
bedoom closeL if-eran' ofFtr...
V/c tivcd in trtr ups.i.aprrtmentni Drhan, Ncw Hrmp
shnc, duing her llr$ rtr. I was . say-r hone nom trnd
Gnndpr RoD sorLcd in Po(snouth trs leuidan.c c.unelor
while geftiDg iris Mr$€rl' degree. Cnig was born I 3 nrondr
lac rnd we allmo!.d b r abin on a ltrte wh*c cnndpi
ms a tifcgurd rnd .trnpground nantrger for dr sunmr, lr $is idyllic ercn bush ve
hrd to divc 15 mihs io rvsh diapca for $o babis (no disposablc dhpds h tlos. dqsr!.
In Augrs of 1960 wc put I 6 Drotrtllold Bdh on ar inphn€ vdr cftdmr RlaNherc
rndput2{ord!ol.l Crtrig in a honenadc.r bed o driv. b Oceuid., our tl6r lbnlc
in Ctrlitonia. Lledr and Cnig r€rc pla] nxa rnd buddics \Vs ln€d ,i Llods &on rlr
bcr.h r.d ihadvas d,c b.sinninB oi dtn bvc trrliirvith rh o.an
C/dis ant. tbk fo/ xoa bot'.
r wish i rcntd rend .r ntre orD',lifewith q,sjsd Berh, butwft n€ Lhir
n a wa] o hclp Krll d,os n.ndries trnd to dr. theD rvith Lhc}';us
pcoplc in ou hmil] who did not htrve dE opporiuniy ro have dme {nir Lr{ii
Dfl8ru .anon,'!,a r,,Beru.s l m- .. lep,l,
ho. t, oo v" ,1,,o.."J\D. rl,L ., ..i g,
olo*8.1, .'\erylrE
.,". ,.-.,,r
\",,8., otr-v., .h
'r'a
r...-.,.t -"',E*.'g1..
"
-; v;.\ ,,,1. o,lo,
cones and shc thrs a softb.il faith$ than an',onc .!c rt thc !.!oo! ma,e or
,rJ- (. \. or ', h-.t, rcon.\ . -*.el."d
Hcrsili lorlerring andshdhgrvnh othes n eEshe d11],shined. str
.ookl."r."ioo \o' fl r,o i
pad,-bho ih-
,.n 1q. m,do \. $or\dd,ar:-
'-ne,'.o{l r r-.rn. nr I.Eo,.-L-,
o^'u d"r'r d .p,h l'--.n. o,'- ,,o,E 1... I
lovc rdr rerrnins rvas so gr3trt thd slle s{ involved iD a $ic;fctrb,iuo
collesefield kips in theSiems, orc bcins nvo wels Lcfort she died. Th{
sbor. low inpotunr nrar pair of htr liiew$ ro hc.
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Beth hade and had 2 larse sroup oFfriedr in hcr lhoa 22 yea$. Man), are
sill h our 1iv6 todal. I lovc thc pictue ofhd and hq ftiends cltins a hike in
thc nounbins, dl with novss in rheir hai and snil6 on their ftas. \ftat a
suic all rhc rih6 w€En'r grar. Hq ilhss dd deatl rook us all to a pla@ I
wish no pe6on or Annr would have to go. Yd, {e lerned so nkh frc; hd.
Hcr .ourrge in d€,lins vnh hs own noralig' is r lcson I will never forget.
Sheneversaid \vlryme or "whari|..", she ju$ lived her lile fullr with so
In closing, I would lile to sy, I loved my sisrr v€ry much. I hope shc knew
lhh. I think ir is hud for children dd rlung aduls ro *pr6s that love a rhe
':ne.'rrh"e,o, ldh"a8ro{nolde,oga}.,..o",(ohJ\emof ,h.ro
shde in each othdl felngs, bu olien life dos nor tum out thc my we wie\.
Nobod). h* tle "pdftd liE- or n the pde( pdson, dd Berh ws no dcption.
She had hs fa ts, swe all do, but I have alw.rs appeciaied rhd wnh
the shon rinc shc had vith r, she chos ro look at the g.od dd lerve rhe e$
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A I'ar laer we moved io L HabE
rnd bousht ou ftst homc. Y.e had
r r4 fbot Udo sailboai dd wenr to
th€ ocan s much 6 we codd.
A(oding to her baby book, &F
ing thor ye{s he! livodre bool6
were nu4ery rhyme books, Czt t,
th.Eztid 10t Dalndtiaa. Ott
pds wd€ Tindn (a niniatu€
Da.hshmd) dd cali G cad. \qhen
Bethw6 5 y.ais old, she ftIl md
fractud he! skul while wc vdc
vhitinssirh ftiends in LkAlowhad.
ThdM El sarybut slE

\ic livcd in i ncighborh.od ntrlb, |opuhcd vith yolng frmilies so llerh dd crlis hrd
o$ofplxrmaks ill dr dn.. Thg' did .ot atend pr{chool. It vrs notconhon in lhose
dars. v/c did bddng b rBtrb Sn Chb {her all rherounglimilis iook,urns criDsfol
\{/c krc lirinC in Lr Hrbn ivhen lleth nared lind.garten. ft rvas rcrt .r.iting ro send
dufiNbornolltorhool. FoduDarehthesclool\ fin.ipalras linnrfiicnd Dous Ch.k
Uakc, room mncd for Dors who died jLrrbefore yourarc bo.nl drd oncofh*
ddindcrvrsMn.hcll chrk, Dougrnd slirleeison.
l\.liss Ki$sbury, hd linddgartcn &trchd, vroc on hd Eport .d: A$ds: sood hrnd
eyecoordinatior-nus.ularc.odinrion follownrsdneciions beginDingdrdnnnhingro,kprcnprt
trunbd and rddins ietrdi.$s longfur onrprn Needs to grolv
in,trc.spb.ceofturtuadon-happinssandpideinvoLk .ounq,andrlf.onuol...
rfshe.rn 6nd the reson rorsonedriigshcisquncwilli.g to coifom. Bcth nvery..e
fivc md wilting to hetp oth{s { al rs."
sanh w6 bom inhHibnFhen Lleth e?s alndssix
116 old rnd cnig rvrs four ud a hilri Ttcr w{e both
\€.r, helptut Firh dre rry bibyand lovcdhtrving
sneoneb bo$.TinoD,our D{[shud,wsllc
c,addpa and r wan,cd 10 livc ncrd rhe oean so he
toud ajob d sclDol psy.hobsnt in srnhcNzandwe
moved AuBu$ 196t. ve Ercd a l,o!s on the r€n
sideofsrnta Cruz udh {rended [Ergnder Natural
Bidgcs S.hool, x{ichras abrandncwscho.lhuilt jn
Lhc rcund. I.Ier rercler ws Ms. Cokon,whovrce on
htr cpo( d : "Bdh has done top flN giade Follt r1l
ye2i . ft was in M^ Colton's .lss ilD! l{h dew rhc
solrporrrnwilh tu red hadbxnd thri),ou see Langinsor rhe wsllglingour m m) de.l.
Ahcispcnding monthsvnh r real6brcn"n,ve fo!.d ihe hoLre or Borcgs Divc in
Apros whdc r htrve noN lined for dirry{rvo rve
),cr6. moyed in AugN and Bdh r_
erded $cod Ende r Mr vnu sdrool, ishr rrcs the (rk.Ioryeds we hadd bridgc
&os drc.tuchin our btr.k)rfd {nh r pd lcrdins dosn t. the cEek md rp ro rhe
rhoolard. Allthc ncighboriood kidsrsd rhn prh.

+ Tbsed n.,tbhtM \tnd tud.ho: uillsiuettua" i.!.d oftuhzt hi"t1ofntudat Bdh
Ms. Mulhn, FcoMgnde: "Beth isapldsurtb have in dss. BdhnstsopsoNofhd
'visilios duinB dss. She mu$ also ledr tiar shc ha thc rbiliq- b do exdl.nt vorL trnd
should not ytth for s.ond nte. A 1€.r nice dd wet likcd lidc snl.,
Ms. Mord, rhnd gnde: Beth did r fine job d clss presidcnt. Bdh hm done nuch
b{td in hd to.htrins duing d6s dnB'
Gtundpa Ro" ar.t. thit fat )aL
Mr HonqunLfodth gnde: allAt nr Kno*lcdgc
drd Skills md .ll si\ in \{o* and Study Hibil\.
"...d lerewehdvc,pssiblrthecounuyilrr
hdt presiddtr in rhc hakingl"
Mns GtrnsFdq nfrh gndc: trlI-& rnd so Bt (in
scicnft) for rh€ whole l4r. All st in Gcreral Beh:v
Mr. Detrso., sixth grade !+ in Or:l Lrngutrge and
Grddpr Ron and Ix€re dnored in 1970 vhen
Boh vs €leven reu otd. Even ough cRndpa
Ron did nd live in the home, hecorrinlcdb do tr
loi oftbine5 wnh Ddh, Cnig d sanl.
Bd[ ws a vdy bodng, bibr. she rns the fiN bom and $€ had to dpdimenirlorvnhh
asveweretrotsurofwhxriodo.Thcolddchildiaa
tumilyse$ *pftinmrd rvid, dr mo$ lilc Nith Ben md Sm in fiei. |amilis.
Bedr huEhr N a lo! shc v* :lwr),s curious. She liked ffgurnrg out dings and
krning about eyeryhhg. Htr curiosity ws a big inflknce in lerming rbour
people, science, dre gov$nhcnt, th€ enviroDment and rhe dd Lr{h always
dralLengcd nc on q, iders trnd poin6 ofyie$ and ir rvd fu' dncusing rhings
vnh hei !0hen ldh disagreed wirh nc or gd nad r me, she told !E so ne.J,
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s,}ootsatjtor BethrrcJ,o.nllhnginso.ou."r\etiied
rodo,oweij.
,,ril'.""Tiit'r].'"'_.#Ltffi:il,_*mru:.t:
;.i;T;i::l:trXT"::'lili@p'cn
p'o;nn* Lhe6'rc' m-' rd
BedrMasEr hv€ln Shc hetp.dusrtoron her whesh
w-odd Rronh na\ Lh ned*.r.*
";,*,,-l,j,tlijli
Y. @ud r{8r dd dpre$ io) .1.'
'* p.-"%.a. ,*
"b,i. "., ;;
j"is"irq+'$'trf 1,if :if ;1il":l ; ;x.u;,u n';*;
Gh" on lre rhn Agrn. r., cu ov.). qr;ng o ta _ l,"ut ro
hany d'fieFnr
oo ,o
rhings ws itM),s very
Berh-Lked
roks, u,Ptr6dd funnr4r,
n6. inewo'idwerwcird haB.ndmrdei
mdk to fool peple. one day alituer! she
ewwhar I B wairg md sh. sid, "Did
you &.]lyk{ rha o eru Did you E,lly
kiirhrrcohb,nrion of @lob ; work,i
5he B sh,tinB her h.ad.nd hushinea!
tu in disbelief $ r bld hd lhe n; r"trk
I lom€d a lor from B.d, od mi$ ler moE
rd more ed appreci?ie her more .nd
Dore au dre me.I dink of htr a Lo, and
nrye blk5 witi hsud klthshownu.tl
lorenq,nd misr her Shegj€s me aood
rd.6dd vie 5dU {d IJi5Rn rc he. n_
i:::3_* :l* T,:r:'yro, 16ory.,n,n" H.rheyp,,unp4ed :ncoor'ins
Ebbi' .'6,$ ad s ood@
l|e.w,'scll!,6
in8lla.o va_J" * ,0, s..i;"_
llrcnbbd inmotnngdemr,h,i"" +.,,".1r,.],"-,r,.,
",nrytnet.shetuaer
rteqln dned bi\.ui\and brn.,,nd.iTrnon J-d,.u^,
attend.d &tosJmior Hish f@n 1971-1973. She E€iyed a1l At defl B s
:1':-3::.^:,::*,ln :* j"ceikd Aw'ds ofRemsnirion fo, outsiandins
ot in Soci,l Studis, Enslis!, Se*i.g, E"*p;"Afy,c,,l.,i. w",L;;L, *
-a
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the €nd of the 7r sGde. And Orttanding Langxage Aft Achievdnerr in Jme 1973 {
cnd of8" ghde. Bdh and hd.ltr$nnis were given rhc option ofqrolltng in an exp{inonhl:lgebn.ltrssrjuniorhish
offeEd for thelnr dhc b. Rang, Snid,. sh€loyed rlr
.hJhngc and tu*iycd r11 As. Cnis Ms rble io pdticipdrc ths follovhg I,ef
She itrerdedApros High s.hool toh 1973 ro 1t77. Sle$as dirgnosd with Hodgki$
Disesen, Dccenbeofhd&6hn]n]ertrndras hone tuorcdrhe rer of dr sclool
}ear brDiana KJuse.In Decenbeshc had mrjorsurse,rat Sh.Iod Medical Cdrer
The d.r' Gina, Sanh a, I $€re o bing hc hone we nn iNo a snow$om on the sumnn
of l-ligh{tr)- 17 2nd warched 8 nrhs ofsnov &unuhF on the cd Wc h]d to
abaddon thc a and the Crlihrnir Higbway larol hclpcd us Etiiere it re next day. Bcrh
vs ,trof dciLcd b nndly s. trs. AfE bs reconeq, fron, n$dy she mtrde dail), aips ro
sunfo for ndhdon rcrnenrs forfou. months.Artlxr dnc hu dn$s $as .onsid*cd
obc rnnsion.shcgotHodskinsrgrininlebruaryolhdjuniory€arburray€dtn
Khool. shc wodld only mna a d"r, someriaes 6vo, whetr she rcc.ivcd hd che,notlEnpr
Ba{Ne of d,e chcnoihdp), shc 1on trllhd hril ShepurcIsed x vis, bui leyerwore it.
She fek it $as too fila]ooltin8. Innnd she s$ved a sdf to nakh d.h outfi!.
B{h hrtred n, cnnis and rcccivcd thn rde &om her coach, Cad,erinc Mtrm)l I wrs
gladyou decided to phr.ends rhisse$on.Thcrc\som

l fourd. mlgh dnft ofrn sslshew.tc, probab!, rrcd
6r appll-ing foi rholaships: 'S.cial Sciena rnd l-Ierlth
Scienc mbothidds of inteEs.ro ne.Thnqbourny
rd6 h high school, so.irltu4..h$s irrd.scd rnd
chrllenged lre dre mon rvlile nI Croving mpcd lirr
StantodHospiral has nnerescd hc in the Herlth S.icncc
arcr. Bc.au:€ofihis conflicr,1pltu! ro rEnd Crbrillo
collcgc for a rsr, Ekins r snrdhg ofcltrsrs in dr
hopcofcnhd.onbinins the ovo A a pNibh deer or
dddhgon and lunhrins q- studcs nr onc of the n€lds.
Af6.olkgc, r hope to udtize q-sudicsbywo,kinsfor
enhd xpubk or soEnnenhl rgdrcr I f.clrhd a arcer
in ihir ncuwould bodr inrEs and.htrlhnge ne dd
fro, ide i PLc st€re 1.outdbc
ofgturt help to th€public.
Na,cr Ihlt, a fii.nd B.th nct in high 'choa/, urot. thit far roa.
I am so ghd ilnr I ws privileg.d b ldow Bdh. she h4 had d, nlpxc, on m),
lifc Id bc] ond rhe sdcn )fd thn ve kls ad, othcr
Iwa dAptos HishSchoolwithBerhforthrcc j,66.\vecudu{ed rogcLhci
sittnrg n{ o eac[ orhd $ vrl.Llictoi]n rndsalusrorian. sl:c wr son€ dur
ins mr. freshmrn r€r of hiBh $hool becrbe shc vrs snt. Blt I hnrd about
h{ th{ rar fton ffttrds who los h{ in jlnio. hish rhool. sllc had b€n
dhgnosd $ith Hodgkins Disdsc. Ths min tlirg I rememb.r haing abour
Bcth thn ),car 16 adniErion .dniffion in hd fticndi loics. I diddt
herr s ne$ or piry I leamed oncc I md Bdh rhr dDis bec{se shc did not
inspi€sdrBsoipq- hd rctrnge rnd animatiotr always inspncd rdm irr
I onnot €nember low or wh.n Bdh trnd I flK mq, but sc soon bccane
do$ &iends. !{/e Femed to [ive r lo, in connor *r vd€ good $uddrs
vho liked shool dd wee collcg.-bound, ve hd pre,rs wlb rvo&ed r
cabillo collc8c, we had @ sibtinss. ve rvdr to cou'd6s baltdball sams
tosether, ate crean clese pie ad dllsorts ofdh{ rich food while odEs
wondsed $4dc wc prt n, bllcd2hourschool, bq,s, movles, mdplans for
rl I'ue 1e oq r'.J r'ir a rt'. , . o,el p.i ,'"\ferF.e
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Beth had r ?etrl rnd an endrusisndDrwsnnpo$ibh ro march dd hard b
8non.l n! n ro/ h q
' . l) .'Blro8 .Jr'A/- .r\Ja ' '(r'q
I n" r,tt-' fh--'
'ol'ie ror"." \ -vr -D ad.erre,
r also hrw Bedr du g ou .oll.gc yerr. she ],rs uNbLe ro go N4- ro
.ollese, thoushsh€pnbrbly.ould have gotre to anynunbu ofunivdsnGs
ofherclone, b

# r:
'llmughotrthigh rchooldd collcsc Bdh vorked itvriousrobs she didrlot ofbaLry
sncnre, cleancd tuomsrthe DrFiew Horl in Apros Vilhge, {rs a.ashie. at K-M]rt, ud
volked nr Jcnni.: dtrlEnr.
Salab ulot thi fi, roL
Y&cn I thinh oam)' snten tlkc qurhies .ome r. nind: compasn,n, comnn-
Hnrena*able.onptrsi.n, asit€hrcsbme, nbstillunBred byadentoD
shc mdc in her 20s. in her Ls *o ).eas, Irofr ages 20 to 22, she took c
time o nuruE ha ionship wirl tu, ]young, nsc.uE and probtrbb_
on" r L'B c o.u, , oa cr rll r,;., fl.' o p:-l \.;-
'\-d
!- t.", o ! '.Fed1.,, I.o r- o!""r . , ori .t, .:.
sr.ng si$e' to sisrer rel$ion$ip. I hrve a *,onddtul (m$rc tuve ofnerbies,
lioD nedr.orhingneqhilephdningdriviisr rhc Ctrbillo College
pa,kinglor, to nq la/ns or he Lod, in lhe dorvrtrkns rprden!while Deah
IJ. .'$ei L Frr''
'n3"hou 's ' I le L.t, ,, et,'t,
d"'or.w\oi'd un.{ o'.k. .dnfl\n&.r. t.-.h.r ahd
)dng' sxYtq,sisd a piorig.spqls to how huch sh; valkd tmjh
Berh was connntcd to pohics rnd th. eniiroDmerr Bcth k.ewhow Lo in
\ov"\-.," .-eloya,.8€:
" a-.tor,E.o.".t,o.r." oo, .n1.trrol
L'-epJd
",dt,,
sr.,., ,,,r Lu ,ob-"to,; fu. .ncq-, _
ne.ol"lpplo'.e'-B"fl.dD-n, ..,e, I d' r "'.o'o
. i":ol
cai ecen canoldars.
Be&t sense ofhn didnt rlErs coftldr vidr mire. Two cxtrnptei fi61, wh€n
Ivrs 13 orso, Bcth sood outsidc rhc brhroon $indo\a;nding dn rhe
deck, kitins rof me o nnish n), shorver 'wtcn r opened th. sho;r door,
B.hh.dhe r, r'e'd..ra'ool f'.L,eo.m -l-. No o. !.,.J
Erer'i.l,oJ/ n,Be.Ihr' d he."r'."! o'' er'h.,,itro rc r.t I
wonds Fher th{ picrure €nded up?
The second involres rnodrer toucly e4. ee,DEe abjrt nensru{ion.
Vncn in Ns Hinpslirc wnh B{h and Cina one s!m'ner, ldh tunm€ed
thrclgh ny iulT, mdfound rbigbox ofntTrnpons. Snrcc I was onlyls,
this dnc subjc.r embunsFd rnc. s0hr did Bdh deidc b do? QuGrly ptrl
thc hnpons back? No, BcGvrs neyer one to lcr an opportunirl,pa$,so shc
boh the box, rumed ir oki rnd spreid abolt 30 tampoDs allovd nr.bed,
duLing whicl Bdh and cim lxughed upoaiouslr,. Did I join int Oh no, r

.'.n o'ed odl.,.l-e.rn,ton\Aqd,rJ\ rpo..,r-k.w.,l'"du n'-ou.'
of tve,rolddiS iawtu.B.r ,-dcrn.,lor,rnu"d
",8h-s f.epi rue
or tnatdenr mry ire \u^ned
As I srs olds, lsh and I sharcd htrtu:llr'tun exp*ienc6. Bdht love o[
eduation and being ourdooB led her to enoll in a suhns biolo8r, field.l*
in rhe SGur. lu$ weels befo€ slE died, shc invned ne b join htr d rhis
.. r"t.rnrngu wo.d4l'.1 o r+_o,n I n
"d'trL"o".krd o J.'ro'l.e
'rtrplr. L
' L.n- o d. e'.€ld"r.|. rh. r. r,l
enjoyed w{.ltng hd, wrh\'
'ryroir(Lrne.io
sredns neF rquaintdfts rnd old fricnds,
thdving on the mtunr sesins, enjolirg cd.h hdmen!. Thse are ny.ndu!
,ne memone of Be' lovi S.h o,rdoo.. bqnEqid pFop e.,.d. I.o-,8
As I reed leftqs and joumals .hs. pdt f$ monrhs, I ws renindcd asri! how nuch
rhought rnd lone Deth purinto h*gifcgiving. Onesp{idgift to me},is rhispormnof
ld andy.urnom and dad. She hrd won it inr bfne,nd {rnrd o prtofhrvinsrhe
adml pi.tuE ralen unril ler han gr* ba . Brt, wnh ModB s Day rpprorchins, slE
dc.idcd ro so aherd. r nqsure it.
NlIN

Hd gif6 vce ofkn hdd-nadc. This indtrded dorh$, Chrisds rcc ollmen$, cnf6,
and pictue fton !d own phorognphy. A her disde proeressd and she M unable b
partniprtc in adncLic Ghc lovcd o ph) vollerbJl and ennis) sle turncd to phorognphy.
The $nned glas in ny ftonr dodr is my dbue !o Ddh and it ws tdlan ftom a photo she
rooh at thc sann cruz Yacht Hrbo. The phorognph hangs
h the h,ll, nmr the $ined
A letrer from Eunice Andeson, a closc fmi\' &cnd, qpifis rhe med,ingtulns ofBdh's
gifc: Dear6r Beth, How car I dsdibc ro rotr whl it wa 1iLe io se a fiail old nan's 6ce
lighr up with a snile at dE sight ofthe pEtry omancni that rived rrom )'ou? Thar n
whr I saw drd Drd venr inmediaev to his room ,o hrng n whd€ rhe lisht would srile
it.lt hangs th{e $illandl beli{e itwillcmain tl]e€. Thank }'ou, Bdhl"
A lcrtd fron Bdry Buder roth{ dos finib' rriend, wriften for Berlt l0r,year nemo
rialseryice,1991: r remenber lE gendoN and lovins nture by rhe rhoughttul gifts
tlar d,e gave to me. 1 sill clerish a litde seagull pin thf she brcughr to me frcn otre of
h{ rips. SIE also grve me a gif. of lutr ard laughd onc of h)' fond$ nenoli$ is of
Ddh ud ne sn,giry r du{ rvith decd ndio swc drovc. ftw6 rsonsofrlre 60t or 70\
lhrt Bah and Ijoined in sinBins whenser we heard it. one linc wA l love )o!, babl
ind we Gall)' hii hdd on that one. Bdhl brighr, fun bvnrg pdson:liry sill shiH brishr.
Anazing GEce m seen rhrough Beth for mrnl, ofus. I feel Amazing chce liy* on in
Sanh and Cnig rnd through ftem b dejoyofBd mdSan." Udie,nd Nick,Iou
wse notbornvhen thllett{16vrirEn.l
BcLhsewed alnosallofldclothc orboughtth€na the Rea nrker. Sdn and Nnk,
Mom and Dad have a p{chwork quih sfEd b} Bdh rnd finished b} me after h{
''ou derh. Ifyou look { photo album from ihosc yes, you will $e Bdh dEsd in ourfl$
rhri mtch sqlaB in lour palens quilt. Ard B andJake, you Mom dnd Dad havc a
dochded sBrny sque afshan sElted br lerh and finished by ne afrer hd death. I gave
th€s€ so nems to your prrenh a veddine sifrs fom Ddh and me.
e12.1

Bdh lokd nsi.lln onc ofhr joun,t, dated Dedbe! 30, 192, she lists "con&r6
he ben bl" [Rememb{, she is 18 ra6 old at this dme.]
Ma6halLTuck{, Oudas
Journer Sons ofchaplin
Pad Mccrtney rnd \ifings
Lynard sk] nd, oud,s
Perd rlupton - Fleeeood Mac - cary'Wrishr Eagles - Loggirs
andMesira-LindaRon$rdr-B€rchBoys Americalohn
sebALjr -El\in B,top-H.d,- Fo r8r,n ar i-uRnrhm
Srtion SewMilhr
San ]os Cente! for PqforninsArts
Harry Bclafont
Lindiids
Papa doo run run
HNard Sbdium - Bob "Rosmad' Madel
As a l$r sili Berh amnged tickes for Gmdpa Ror md m€ (ou birthdirs aE r 2 dars
apart) b atend Coocod Outdoo! lavilion to hed Peer, ?ad md Mary She had capecEd
ro arfld fid, u bur she died a nonlh befoE. $re Eave hd ticlet ro Gna dd
vith Cdg and Sai,I, we enjoyed a very special bnrhday gifr.
l.nsi. Dotutini, B.tbI tuond norh.t uroE ,ht fot ro .
\tln I ihink ofBerh, the rhEe adjectivs rh* @ne b nind are
!C!+ Bed, rm $ dftlt amusing * dms that jN rhi.ling about ii now
nak6 me laugh ad snile.
-
ll-

eqdlg she lad a wonddfrrl head and w€ hrd some wond€!tuI talkr abour
cring f€€linss 6r orhss
"nd
Hedsjrong- Shc @ dednined b do myrling d she plsed md M very
One ofm/ mos vivid ncmone is ofBdh md cim wttins ouside in &onr
ofrhe ddvcMy vnh rheir backprcks on, g.iting Fa4, to be clen to SaliB
ro crEhAm@k b rour $e Unired Snes fo! Mo montls. Thq-wE smiling,
dciied, mticiprtingrwonde!tul nip.
leth lored ro uvel. She ws *ren.ly inquisirir and
sm@d ro exp{ierce eveqrhing. Shc did tun things
slch d toyeling byAmtuI wi$ cim, sEline wirh
rcladves dd in rruth ho$els all over rhe United Sbes.
She suiprised Gina in Prk Ciq', U@h, one winter she
and Annie Lilietrthal wem to Ns York Ciq, for orc
vek on . Cabdllo{pomoEd .ultuhl dp. Every niEht
rher- *ended sonetlirg diffdnt-Bbadmy phF,
srnphonr ballet, atr opera-in un6ln Cenrer ad
C2rnegie Hall. she tnveled to Mdi.o ndy dns.
Lor ofsrori$ fton Hu$ongt Gniina in Ensenrda.
sh€ ft*led wnh Gnndpa Ron s*dal iim6 the year before she dicd. Ther wen! to New
Hdpshne, Mexico, Canada ad aI rhJolgh the No(hwe$. \i/e thveled d a family o
Europe dd Hamii and Ns Hrnpslirc dd rbida. She wen o Nw Hanpshire s
ofrns posiblc. shefelte conncred to fanilr,dd hmil/fiiods backrhere.
Beth did not tolente rudenss veq'wel. Thh js a dnect quoe [slishily €dned by me] frcm
Berht jourml writrn whd she and Amie wde in NeYo* Ciqt Januty 1979. "1 an
pissdl I jus gor to en@uer an absolure f- tor a bs dive. He wouLlnt i'k r dolla!
bill for both Annie and mc dd then old us b sd offihe bus if* didnt hav€ coi's.
Then he rook o6before I lad a chanc b look. \vhd m sshole-"

G;tu Dondti,i. fi.nd fon .hitdhood, utuk thit fat Jo, bot!
!el'"r,dlg w D ag-rfl.ro.,ngD"r,,
fhe-.o,i .11d'l-
ur, ero\ri"r
'rrol,gdg
l-L.B-' Tor.wrh:,r d,. 1,-Lo Bh'rr)
e
'-'or', lfe L'o."lo, i ,p le Ini.eoi"na.r.e.a h-
, ,"1
'el'io.
9f_,,\t
.
"be,,No,. | ,d as\o I.
aF.,-, . .
ts o.
n
"d. l G |, oeooe'"k- o tnn.eo'.',o"gho,;,\e.,,1,y |
"
;., 10i-
A I\r. dB,'Lb r F.roler I rs"
-o1,rou n
n ii d.J.iner\.rqrgL'o'lg\ -orltr '--Bl'.oidno'
-Jr. ppo-to-f, 1art.ne..,crts,\
."r"1 . r . d L r ,t o i r d .J . , . e ." s r ,) ,t.oL\..n.
diftcult 6r ne io sn dorv' and vrire, how{er inpofunr to shaie ttc menorie\
oas\o ]ou!g girls {ho shred h rhcjoyoftrn evdlstingGGndslip.
\1.-edot
'",'
lr. o rEg' u..l,e.L-o ,-.O.rn-, ,.,
ro, .i3 b- ' r.d Lre tiJ, n B-.,..,",-"- .,,. 0eLrJ m.e
diarel)' srry ro beconc frinds lrietrds th,t;re dE sne clotting, the sanc
oll]is thd our mofies nade, loincd i\e sN 4-H dNes, ne dE s;nc gilhd
.hccsc, tomro ard Da),onninc andwichs. \vc *!uu nnish thc nnk;t n ,
momt lousc and rhen so ro hs lonc ifve vse nill .]i$qr we conriNad ;
"
,,oe-he f ,J,L.o, t,s!d..L. ,'01,ol,al ., .t vet,"d
'dd'on"l'i'd
^LA
\o\e=rrh ,. ', ra oBdi.c: D,f. u.\ .-
My mos falornc mcmorGs wirh B{l! dft. . .
Thc tine sh€ Nrprised rE in tudr Ciry Uuh, rvhec I ry$ Iiving. I kllt€d
into a deli .fd sking to st some lulch dd shcas siitins thcc :t a oble s
ifshe jst sopped bl I ms oveshdned o se htu smile, i{ fae, tud loow
she hld hken dre tnnc b com€ and visir nc. Then she $rled abou fou. da],s,
acqurintins hsFlfiround rown, socialirnswirh ny iiends as ifs!. h:d
known rhem for yeas. r had to ou aiound ali{ work ro find hd so th* I
ould joinn.thetun.slE{sk.yb6),enjoyinSrewfricn.L\hipsd d,fins
B,
'uJ eoo .sd. ,le,L,r.dn,,i.!Fine \h-rt",, ad .!
h o,,3nor, . J, i"d c,,.e tor u,,.\ *. ,..- .,. .td n,-
,rdl.^il- 1. , b,.\tr (o' o ,r ..r"=l-dLr' "..:r
r€ ti€sh bluebdry mulllns in NeF
''
HdnpshiE oyded h honrnddc buitol
We arrived in P.erboolgh s ifrvc rvcft movie sa6 visitin8. Locls would
honL then ho'ns 6 we ps$d on the sreecj shngss would wve and dli
_1t-

in d dicle in rhe loc.l ncsspaper Bdh
and I enjored lhe popuhritl and Ler fani\' in rcrc$orcush. We then &veled
ro Ncw Yo& Ciry, \vshinston D.C., on to Floridr dd rdo$ to TM
d home after No monl\s. Thoughodt ou journe] w made ncw frie'ds
ThrouBhout her illnss, I $uck br h* side lilk glu€ on papen This is d qualiry
B{h had-fteng.h-the $rength to nsht md fishr asah foi hd h€rlth. I
vd lhde ro hoid hd hand, laugh and ro alvars be !d friend. On one visit to
Sftnford I wA lring h bed ncxi o Beth rnd ve wqe soofing offwnh nl rhe
gadgcs slrounding hs hospnrlbed. Hs dodor rvalked in md eid Y4icI
one oflou is lhe pdienti" \(/ell, I suppos m), f.an shorved 6 I lerpr fton the
bcd shorting'Not ncll' and B€th shouring lis hdllll" !/c da.ted up s the
dodor pob$ly sw rhe ftighr we borh shdrcd dd the con$rnt gootncs of
Thrcughour rh€ ma9, hospnal sErr, l would be ther to enrtuin Bd[
HNsq she got me to do some cnzy things to enrctuin lsFli I wouLl jog
. ornd.het,o okl.oii:do^w kB-Lh\o-.1r'-i-b.d |\ r,. mp, )g,o
get my hdit htc up while Beth rmned for mI ctun h !d bcd wnh r $ehosope.
I would come back to the room, .h6t poundins md we would plaft
rhc $crho$pc on h). haft rd narclin the q ck bets dd tle lotrd rhunping
sound.:fho BdL would encolhge he o so and jos fsd this dhe.
v.ell, )'d kndy jogsins rcund tlle coddos of a hospftl E:lb, is rot il'
Iowed, so I rvould run w[en ir loold safe, slow down whar people wde
tumd, nn rsrin, slow down rnd the! reetrter Belhii moh on\- ro naNel
asain in rhe loud dunp ofmy han. Thee vde rhines Berh and I did to pds
the tine dudng lospiial $a/s.
Or ve would get B€th inro lhe wheelchan atrd venturc throughouftlE enrire
hospitd, dploing ftw s{ions, tnding phcs !o si! outside and €njoy the
wdmth of the sun, or ju$ seftn€ out of htr room to forset whl, we rvde

aI I
tl!
4)t

d Beih ghddat€d froh hish rchool, she eeived ihc solAlexands Mmorial Rserye
scholaiship. Thc rdtr of this $holadhip wse ro enouhg€ hq b arend cabnlo for
so ),trs dd then wh€n she @nsfned to a fouF)'ar uivemity, she wodd aeive
$ 1,000 for each ofld jdnior and rnior ie*s She gndua&d &om Cabrillo on ]une 7,
1t79 wirh m A.A. degree
vith "HonoB'. Hs najor wd envnonnenbl science.
One ofthe d6ss she took at Crbdlo ws va1u6 claincadon. Tln is froh Behi joulnal:
"To.ishr in q-Valus Cladfferior ch$
vdb€njsht r paper brg with vrluable
things on i. I loyed nakjng mine becruse
h),ErB wffen't ndelialistic o! hsvilt
innolyed vith noney. Ther-wae down to
drl - comon in mrnyMts, I discovered
nmymluablc things addidon ro rhe
bsi6: family, lc,1th, ftidrL, sood dms,
I know I sonetins gcr bunned abour the
Don{inn md 3ll rh€ &ni\. they are suts
rounddl b)r Blr I rhink a 1or ofir is rhe
huee Nnbes ofrehivs. v/hat ve five
dont have in volume we cdainly have in
Afrr Bcth died, rhe so eaches ofrhe Valus clss wbte this dedicarion for the syllabus
D€diaed ro Berh Blu.hdr
AP" | . tr

Fembleorhe6
to rouch rh. impo'tanceofbcingrlive.'tbsc. the nke,rrives Ertisddlly
andinhin rhe.onGxt of hopcful"di.n, !flIl;viNs nrd jounc),rLewovcn rhbugh
dscPrgcs. rnjo] ns tudid."
TRDi.kron, r ftrmil] r'.iend and chcmnt.rerchdr CtrbLilto, wrore:,,Shewa n),kindof
pe6or A.Lutrll). ifrve had mt bccnsettrraied bl dne rnd cir.uhrtrnesshcw6 rhe kind
ofpflror I would hrvc liked to shxrc lif!. I .ould Rl, lhr the chsnistry vs rjgh, LcMrn
us but I wor r I lokd htr munth, [d scNs ofhumor, hu snse oftrdven(,r, h* sh],
p?rt, hereaseof being, huquesrioniisnind lnd speciauyhs jorforlifc...."
shc Ms tr.cepred at d,eUnive(itrofCditornia, SdaB'bra, dr.l turnstuGd rltic in
lxll1r79. Bur, afcr onc rkek in SdraBrbtrE, she cahc home $idr rncdiQl prcblchr.
Shnford quicklydiagnosedllodgkim Discrseagiin.Thcrcl;re, Uettr cn.otted ar Univcrrirf
oi Ctrliiirnir, Saru Cruz, so slre could rcciae raodcnr r Shnfod r rcrd
collcg. at the sxDre re. Ac,ualll Beth dandcd bdh UCsc hd Crbrillo duing thoF
hn Nlo lctrn orheL 1ife. Her imlcPA dCibrillo wd 1.8 for i rohlof L04 unib. She
rtuticipa,cd in mln] biolos/tclddps, oDe to dic si(ns ioJulr 1981, orveehsbcfoE
wlcn ldh F6 origimllt dngnosed wirl Hddgkins s a frshntrn i! tigh s.hool, dE
p$ph r ShDfordsidshc htrd tr Itolo .hxn.. .f roht Gcol€rj, Bu! rhen tllc HodBkins
r.un.d No /eN latervhcn she \m rjunio. nd nov n
.r. .l , oo . ..-o
Durinsrhe follorving Mo rear unrilhdd*drshelivcd
rem*able life. shc boka
'
fuu load oI.ollegecou6s, uN
dcd e*ensinely, resuncd h{dremod,cEp},trndwasan
nspimrion incotrtugc i. ereq'ore inhulife.
-
t8 -

Mawcca O'IIata, Bcth\ rtt!. d"A fri.d zt Sta{o/d Uni,.ftiq M.d;ccl
,, btot. thi! fot ro4 b.t!.
I had the udque priyileBe ofl.rorvirg Beth in a delml....sdins s her
ndse, ad tho fion ihc bcgiming rnd rhmugh rhe re{s ofh* illn6r,
expdldhs that rcle into thar ofa very special friend.
I nN n{ her when slle ms t4 and dirgnosd with Hodghns Disae, and I
bok cG of hd on Ssnford Univdsirl' HospnJ's in palienr oncology unit
krown s CRC wlEn she uftleffent rbdomin.l surgcry and ienor ofh{
r."ar'pr o \1 l:3
'
r sorr rp A"nJ m,dd.eJEemenory 'cJ
De,t rJ"dmi.red,o.R.,ot'tr,Te of,,h-.o,Feof\,1J ..
",'-oI
Grd for hd duing thos dn6 vhen she hadshinsl€s, when she lad to
undeqo che$surserytodocumenra Ecuretre ofthe Hodgltins Dis€de in
ld lung, and ro be mnslusd with blood, afid gdtins short of bEdh while
pla)'ins aollelhnl ry r the r?te Tahoe aca. Dlt our reltionslip grw with
nuruallove dd resp

Vho i! becme dar thd she would
die ftom hd dnese, she fred it wiih
the wisdom, cou'.ge, ."d *.e"gth of
a pdson Nia h* age. Ard h death,
she wo the enbodi-""tofd*s
gne...andbecus ofth*, death
""d
did
not vin odt. . . Bcth did. Shc tauglt s
aI whar it msns io be wis, what it
ncm to bc pasiomte, what it nes
to be coungeous, what it means b be
gndful, and above all, wlut it neus
But I also feel the n.ed to ur a fv
things about Betlt fanily dd frisds,
for without them, n rvould have been
vet difocult for Beth to be ihe p.6on
she wd throushout hq 8 rss offisht
ing cmar. Pa! Ron, Cnig, Sanh and
all of the close* lii"ds of ,li of th"
Blan.hdtd fomed the richet soil in
whnh lfe w6 rooed for Bsh. She wd surounded br ontinuous love, suppo,,.
hrmo, {fn8,h. and ei18...and. only p,"",Lr w}d i,.o nA m)
turn ro have this vodd, thI I m smounded by rhe lov€ wnh which you all
i have s:id n before, a"d I will sa/ ir asain. . . it m a pdyilese fo! ne ro know
aDd love rd sre for Bdh md aI ofthe Bluchab. The sdms is not for
thos of !s *ho lod hd. . .for she vil alvrr. be a pd of ou livs. The
sadn6s, rhen, b to! thos who nser will hav€ rhe chane ro know h-. - .and
hopetuIy, thse slu€d vods md mflois wil help make n* peson come
rlive @ h{ 6u nephtu. I l6v€ }ou all.
Berh nade a huge oddbution to the Ddth dd Dying d6se r Crbrillo duins rhis
tihe b- b€ins a sust speakr each sns€i This is fion 2 $udentt nn,l paper in rhd
dN: "lMrryimprNcdwithBcth:odookonl&in&cnilstofhdNndying-hd
psitivE g@d-natuEl, level-hadedwy ofdelingwith Hdlgkitr Dis6e laa, whd I mr
he nother, I M egurlly mo!€d; wlnt wondeftL pople theJ, aE ro shaE this with me. '
-zo-

Beth 3lso.h6se @ rake the Hospicc volurteer raining.ouse. Onlerapplication, d{ed
.1
lave had crncd for 7 )'eds - 4 ofwhich
'l
I wA in Fmission. My curent siturtion
enftils .hchorhenp) at SRnfordforcnq drat appartndyisrtgoinsarval rn d),iqs I
loo{ d,ar and I think I ye acepGd ir blt moc imponang. I m living a life I feet very
good aboui dd prctrd oi At tin$ I h sd but co,eblly I dql Firh my situnriotr in a
positive, corsrucd!. tuhion.
M).vies or dad\- ny ddih de thar ir won r be u end but Erher a.ontinuatio, of
nylile In nor scared- in$cadlndpectdt. Hospice was inroduced to ncrr time
,vhm I ryd lielins low Firs n % a friend ro Elk wirh and a chance ro slar q, *peri_
cs and rhen n tufned nro d oppofrunirl, for ne o hopefullt grcq beconc nore
conscioN oln) situdionand to driE,ml,felings.Thenai ngforne mayormr1not
hrd to nisniry dying/gieving people. lln not sue if I dn ierdy foi th{t ltind ofconrad,
$pecirlrr otr a regular basis. r vould like ro be pft of Hospne for llle suppon n ofIss and
thc $ppor I atr ollel' bui I'm norsuEnrwhIaprciry Hopotully dre rainingvi hetp
nc $nishren otrt somc in.onsi$eDciest ftdy, thdtcdr bc r resuhrvolunicd'
Sh3 vrote rhn nr [er Chrnda leftr, 1980:
" i'[is fall I hrve ben feeh]g quir vell so {hen I wcr o Ssntord the wek beforc
Thankgilins I rv$ surprhed whcn n). dodor, S?ndy Horning, said lhe .hemo wdn t
donrgwhat itshouldbe rh{nconhininsq,anar M).blood6unr m a otrrof
rvbrk drd ny doctor n posilive that I lave acive dGesc in my bone mdtuv asain. The
dodo( a,€loping to findrnoth{.onLinrioq ofdrugs ihrviltconhin the an€rbut
buuse I have ahcadr hten so nany thc), mn t confidcn hd anra[ing witl ,tud
tlr
.trn.er or eyen conhin n til more d rfsoonths. sdd), ftets dDr dc).rvillbe tucb,
Lravhile and rhcn theyvont. t hadafewveryhail ddF r.ceptirg this I trm dl,ing.
Lst sorner when prdscd by my prcns for rone kind oftinc ommirmdr, DL
Horningsaid Nolea6. rrn rcat rlry for De and tor q, family and fri€nds. somflinesI
ge loNly, dcprsFd ald sared - nd4, scrred. otls tines I feet lucky to be siven dc
$rength, rnne and suppor ro prparc for ml, dadr Right now Fe arc all gcfting read)' for
chrinm6. A big pmy is rheduled for the l9,h plus Sar.l is turnins l6 on tlc 166 so rlt
fesiyc rmospherc hd cnrered our [ou(. tne enjoy is dne ofrhe )'er and are look
ing lonvrd to a nice fanily Chisrnm."
-21ru

+I lcpt a diary du ,g dbs hs. mo ,rds. ft nosdy dcalt wlth dps ro Sbnford, g?e of
rarnen! :nd whd !he), hrd to say. 'Dr Hornins rold ldh she lad monrhs' b liye.
Bah 6ked vhd months msnt 1€$ rhanI'e Bdh sked how she'd die irErnal
breedins or infe.tion coma. sho wr intredible she had to kllow rh6c rnd
'nrwas
six montb6 tan r rror "Berh ffr !p$ vnh new nrys bur real soon had ifull in
pcspcctivc. Bnhi colM late wd afu 7 Ican this mrnr!ins, the nervs isnt
"nd
On luly 8, $o months hei ny diaD- srs i$d ler wo tiips ro lhc sirrs and
p,oblems with altitude, went up for cguld ch(k{p. Sle feh kriblc. we ued
vhehhrnandshe hid do{n jn Oncolo$ Aduallr talk,€ abour dyins. wondere
ytr{e, whelr, how and {ho. ve lerr sRnford @3, dove dp and Hry t2 to
"ao$
FrrlfMoon B2), rnd down cotr$. Beauritul dar"
A wel hei on Jd), 15, 1 More 'Ron trnd I tookldh up - fuiiher chemo rulcdour
ownvhelning od& n vo dnthelp. HodskinssoinsfN anonth{rhcnon
Bdh drcd Di Hordng oukighi Sh. na), heno rge internJlt She hs codein.
dnd dccping piils. weie io c.llin No rcckr. Mrnytca*. D. Hornins huggedB{h.
CruedMaureen dd we klked ouside. Sle always sabilizs ur.,\te r TGI Fidarr.
Iun. Good food. ldh had ed at otr$ in NewYo* Ciry"
BeG died ove days lacl' jur aftd nidnishi on Tusd2r luly 21, 198 r, surcunded by
thifte! loviry frnily membds and tidds - GEndpr Ron, Craig, Sarah, Gina,
M{tren, Jennie, Lucille, Annie LiliodMl, Hd Hoch, Randr H€lmonds, Lna
One ol Defit fqrc ws ihri slle rvould be bed{idden for d long tihc. she died so soon
xfrdD. Hominseid a nonrh athe nos" fu iict it w6 nve dayo thdL sonconc
onnenred hd hands showed tan lins fton $dde we took olThd ings - shc
wcn't bed-iddenlonsenolshto los h{6n.
ry22,n

*r- ,-
I dked John Stnoyich, a ldng{ime ftDilI liiend, !o exphin for ]ou thc m.rning b.hind
the hunnirgbid vnbol d,at [s conre to €pnonia B.tht 6soa. Johrt $ory ws a
@Elr& {or everyone r&nding lhe nHrorial srvicq This will h.lP ),otr undcchnd wh),
th&rcso ninyhtrnningbnds inmyhome.
My mne js ]ohn smovicL and I have ben r fri€nd ofthc Blmch(k fmily
for man), yea6. I hr€ fou giovn .hildEn, bu when the)' {se I'oung our
eo frmili6 shared nany hrppyrimer rogcthcr'w!er q€ Ilst met one an
othd, ourchildrenwdcjus abour rhe ases lhst;urof),ouarat thcvriiing
B{h ws tr delighdulpdsor. Shewsaery bisht ad fun 10 bc wi.h, gunk
$nh [er snile aDd :]Mrs rddy Io have a sood tnne. She Iovsd life, w* a dcd
.r'B,- ,aJ" n-
'er fr, t' r^.'d rr we-\en loe f_1,
.o lo l. le',d' r ''L ll' l
'_'yM).l''d'
'' m,'
\tlen shc b(dN i1l, ve {d€ dl hoping she rvould ed bdd soon Durins
hs iun$s she rs very bnve .nd non .onphining It w6 hard to believe she
vs r si.h as she xls sheEusht.llolussonudr $ou!fortitude rnd sR.c
1 enemb{ vell r dccp sa nshins tip she rook vnh me dnd Iny clildren.
|* :'x...".q,o.e1. .1 tu'Ip'otko,' hebo.rr_eg",ng r'
si.k. hr nor Bdhl she jus kepr on fishing, rnd crtching i,lsh, until it wN tnne
l;r thc bo{ .o so in, I $illhanc a cherGhed pidure of rh€ dp trbovc ny
drsar wnh h.itur snilins t me :cos the ycaa.
ldi us, I went to visit Bdh. She i6 vcry incd, for she
illnss lir so nany yds. AJ rve ulked tlDt la{ dtr} in
hd bedrooB a nash ofbisht color { h* whdow
.rught hI clc. lt Ms a humnringbnd, sGpcndcd i!
i6 gnetul flisht ner thc flowdi As I $atched rhri
bsuriful doue $ith ns nidscnt fcdthds md
quicliilver nodon,I was remilded of Bdh's soul,
dDr Ddrofhs lhr madc h* Beth, hoverine rnd
inpai:cnt o bc fiee oih{ &ril b"d). dd aEerc be
offotr dre nrstcrioc ndt adventur€ thrt awdi6 all
of N whenousouhm$ftcc.
To rlis ldy dqt whenmr I :c d hunmiigbid drrt
ins in the "ia sippng lrom a fl@ei or hovdiLg with
e23-

it! feaih.$ splodent in the sun, I think of Bedr I how her rcul is *ill
rishp quick od agilc * **, dd I mnq ftcling ble$ed for iaving kndn
'Witli memd6 of Bctl, md lm, John
incedlblv bcautitul mmorial senie elled a "celebntion ofBetlrt ufe'ws held the
llmins Saturdal i! th. backlzrd ofou home otr BorEgs Dlive. The su cm€ out
iis befoE lhe rdic h ,o bcSi n. alie! a morning of foE. Thse mus have bd ovd M
imdrd peopk tm.Thoem nuscud hrrngandgoodfood.Thi' s *rtlywhat
etl wFd. She brd IndicEd in q'idns thrr 5h. wr,.d \n sai." @ ber'p"ry'
- 24-

+Hds led dE sri.e *Ling people to slnc thetdroushs trnd menories.I sked evqrone
to Mhe dovn vhat rher hrd sh{ed and thls I M rble to put togethd r be iitul quihed
menoftl FNic book. Rlchel Chrk quilied the Tre oflii€ on the @ner Followins de
sone *crpts fon rhc bool:
D|ryCktk, Lnst;he fn1"i4fie,/ We thoush! abolt Bdh trnd htr liith so vtrnEd to
sbare ourthoushs,bout herand her chance' by. phy th"* *"
"" -..d".
B
for be ritul, indkd Bdh ws a beautiful lady
I
forarduune, tr ftnshs:lvq,s cxhibird
T
for tu$, [truu$ in Ssnfod, htr dodo6 ]nd nuss, f2nilr,
H
I
T
II
forhope,wlich Ddh continued b hayc thrcughou h*shortlifc
for fanib,, vho wec Jways dEE for bvnrg support
Ior dnbitious, alFays a bury gr1 doing nerningful things
f.r intdligcn-, Bed, xlways usd [q .biliry in meaninsful
*adds for doughtful, her thoushs ofren fo.lsd on ),ou .on.chs rnd
n€eds nthd thdn hd owr
siudsforhelptul,she.onsncndrwdshaingh*tnneandtaldswnh
Canh M.Gtundhzr,.othge Jikd afBahi ...\x$,en\o.nry.ltroughBcd's.lbumIn
renrind€d ofthe fullncs of hhllife. Pictures ofhtryisningnanydiffdnrpla6. SLe
rcrins sonetiner d lhe .lown, sonetimes penstue, sonetines vnh a $r[on her had,
somerimes vnh .udy liin r€t ilwr6 s ith tr tuIl snile shoving h( lole for life. . .
Ralfh Cdnq, fannlft.,d ...Thcreatund/noriesabouttheroon [sn,dioap$Nnt
undd my deckl thrt q?iry Beih for ne hd Endkrble patiena wnh the iiu$Erions and
delars and her penetnting hlnor which mde upledantthinss ersi€.I Enehber thc
second sorkins ofthe tug when Jende, lat and I weF shoveling mud rt didnighr to
divq!lhe run ofr andBcrhsoodat thewhdowe$ins ne abotrt nor bringing h(abo*
io ,€scue h{ ftoh lhc eda€ening hke. . .
l1d!Skn'nh,fdni\Jiid "... tinn wny, ftrn loving, hon6t... and even o(aionnll
slr.trri., Fung rvonnn. ...She htrdtr dslighdulsen$ ol humor rnd a dnedhonesg'thdr
w$ dnunrsh mr!re for hd €c. Hd wry connetrs abour thepolidd ofolrcourtry
h{long inEre$in thc outdoos and n{uE, hs s,€d love for hci fmily.nd ftiends, rnd
rbovc all,lE bnvery d sus tbrcugh the p6! €isht y.ds, were all equal parts of Beth
-25-

+And.fcodse, !tr love ofspots;whdhqplayi.s a hard
srno ofvoleyball or rcotins fo. rb4ebrllErm (pcEF
rbly thc Bo{on Red Sox) . . . i tibue ro a hushins,
hunobus urchinnmed l.ldh. Didsheeverredizehow
adohblc she looked hrhossrfres?lThose bis€]rs
looking{rorvilh su.h dn€dn$. .ddthf rdkof
hds. Nobodr mlksd iikc Bdli son ofa swn€ing nrol
nn,tt HdnnA, dn.g.lic"llafBnh! l..Shes6rhe
bouty md tlre zst ofaspinedal...Berh rus intelligenr
and guick-Fitcd rnd we often encrs€d in dis.ussion or
rgundr I gncfullyadDnslrersualllwon...
kutst o,nh,
f.ani,Jb,d
Crm€ ridins thtuughApros Villige
on hdnotolbike
Likersbot.f sln righroutof Ncw Hanpshnd
t loved rvtcbiDs her
Herd bcnt, body$might,
Hd $ondeful dichotonr:
Looking lilc i QuaLer womd, on her war to prayer
Ard thenblorving that image
\tnh a big grin lllr na.te !d sen like the biddry kid.
Thn d"r sh. vrncd ne al over
Her sreetnrg dro\€ the lbs awtrr.
The young md nandins next to ne
Liked thc f.ding, too,
So he sid, vloithr,lan,lmntb ndhc."
.That\
Berh," I eid, ind suE)'oudo,
butnotrightnorv
bemuse shet dennielr otr herwar."
srtah Krdbn.h, tttg. j/t,.! afBet i - 1.. Lst Sepenrbd wheD I found out I had r lifcthretuning
disds I .onlidcd to hd my feds dd ftu$mlions. Bahi words to ne vd€ ro
_t6ru

+And ol.o!6e, hd love ofspotsj qhsh{
rlains a hard
srmc olivolleyball or rooinrg fbr I b$eball Eao (prefir
ably rlc Bosor Red Sox)...r tuibute to a lalBhins,
hunoros ui.hin ndred llqh. Did nE $€r realte how
rdoHble she looked in drorrams?lThose big syes
lookl4atyouxithsu.h dn-hs:...andthIvrlkof
hds. Nobodr vrlked litc Bcd; sort ofi s*inging sroll
Rh"tHdnd,li alkge lika.l ofB.t l "...Sherrurhe
beautyanddEk$of a sprhgdat,,,Retb ims inrelligenr
and quich.vned and we otGn engaged in dis.usion or
]lglncnt I glace|ulvadnitshe usurllyvon.. "
l d st.nnb, frni0 fin,t
Crme idins thbughApros villagc
onhenoto ike
l _' o'' cr' \l"rP
'-\
' I
1 loved w{chins ho:
I_Ierd ben! body ncight,
Hd wonddful dichotomr
Lookins liltc a Qml{d wonDn or her q.y o prayer
AId then blowing lhr imrge
wnh a big gdn |h{ m.de hs seen like dE biddar kid.
This dq. shc wancd nc Jl ovcr
Hd ffetins drcve the fog avar.
Theyourg nan sanding nexi o me
Lik€d ihe f€ling, too,
SolreMid, v/hotthr,Jrn,Ivrnrromeeth€.
.Thart
Bdh, l sid, rnd$reyotrdo,
Lrur not righr nov
bGNe slis delnitely on hs$?y."
sztuh t:rdbndt, tulhs fin.l of Berri- :..LN seprenbtr$hen I loundour I htrd2 lilerhctcnins
discdc I .onfidcd o hd ny fcrs and fru$ntions. Saht woft\ ro me Rre to
N26N

loowledge Fhri happedng for )ou rnd thcn sinply let it so. It seened roo ery dd so
bad but thrcush Bcdi lorins and conset suPPoit, rll the fiisht ebbed rhy .I bcli*e
that !dh, wirh hd IM snse of rining, los th{ tu tine hrd cone vher 3ll of us wee
srory enonsh wirhir ou6e1v6, rnd so she let so, doins so with all ihc Pcdcctior and
grce ofrle worddtul cl6yn th{ slE ws. . .
Au vcry spshl, \€ry pivak ecmonl kd by
M{q-Kcftcman lBen md Jake, tour Unde
Mrryl, we pur Bdh's shc in.o dE sound r
the Soqucl Cemetery We chose this spot
busc ir resmbhd thc back ,€d on
'wc a-U ieceived sol-c &on the maln mant
slnprhr crds wc Eeived. A tlw danPles:
''Beth alFays rholght ofothes 66t how
well I renenb{ hd coughins r night and
bcing voried she {s bodEring us {hen I
rns so concencd about her sfth a lovelt
p{son.l'n glad we kns hcr. Otrr lives ale
And ftom soneonc in !s Hospice rnining
group: Berh rs e draofd;ntrry Pcson. I
ws inspned b)'hd and shall :rv4,s tmdn'
bd h{ couiage, !q honsv rd hd seNiriviry Havins hrd to f(e dt qustion oflifc
rnd derh 60r so lory made hd ncry acceprin8 ofothss, ycry rolermr' I felt she ws like a
shining light, brinsins thse quGriom out ofthe ddn6s dnd helPing othds
And fiom n)' Aunr lnlise riokop, "she save nc lcsoN rbout livine my life bmN of
what sft had lexn€d and dore d bcone in hd life - and I tholsht I had a lor of
sne6 abour'doing' this ioumel alRdt "
And Gon Sandra Horning, MD, S€nfoid Urivesig' Medi.:l Centen As )otr know Beth
wrs aery spccial to me. All of us fdt iNpned by the mturiry and z$t fo! life sh€ dcnon'
$hrd in the tuce orsdiols dise6e.. .All ofus r ShdLd shall miss ber"
_27N

AIdfi nJlr "She{* buttrflicsandpconicsand lor:lq rndinesirydrdoth*things
L'ci c vad d kns-nne fd8ilr fi."d, u/oE thi! fol rat bor'.
rtn r fornidrblc $ignnol lo cn.rlstrhtuthcspnnolBdh trndsot rpologize
in a.tvinc for tullins shotr oIihe fisignmdn.
Itw$difi.ult to pid.lh. djcdivc thr mo$dsdibs B{h formeburafcr
mdr ought, dre one tui kept conins to mird rvrs dur Beth wa a pn.ti
alp{sn. On thc sur|]( rhi nirkm faintpnis, bu lom thennugeof
t6 ),es,1tJow thh to be auE &n nr onesoyouryindelusivc.vcni(, rhe
narc dpcricn.cdpcopL ny lilc.I w.uld d!:cibc rpncti.al l,eroD as
onevho deak ilh all faces ofdEirlife in a realhtic Fayiworlirg rhroush
thcpruLlcnssihcy.oncxndrclirhingca.ryblcsing. I rhinkth€etironreol
rh€ pn.ti.:l pcrson n ancvho, *nh slvl€ and grtrc, conrinurlll and diligendy{ofts{i!h
dre Ltrnd dIt dre)' hare been deilt.
Two ,ndmris surftce.'l he nstrs a rip to Sranfod for taoftn, xnd Gts.
The re$ Esulis rvere nor soodj .an.er.elh were coxdins nno her bore
nrro\r learirg les d,.t les rcon for "good ells s Mamen &rclullr crrlained.
Bdh rbs$edrhisnss qded). finished the riertmen!andw rcticarcd
to lhe Grfor the ide honE.In rlE qllGrof dr cd, she died rnd so
didL ft vdBdhRho$oppedn6L.shcblcwhdno$Mdnid, "ltell...Lti
gotoMcDonalds ju.kfoodu rhurme. She s.ve the trss i6 due d
navcd dn for bod, olus. tuothd tine, B{h{oppcdr lhcho6c shchad
been up ro UCSC .n her Moped trnd she Ms mrd. Sh€ €s me in the kitchen
windorv, walked n, rinring du, soneone had conc inro rhc bnydc hns rnd
xl!,o$hnhe.Therirvrsbhe rs\hehsFdonnnm oDrhe mnt herir.ge,
lis ntreligena dd hG ddvn,g skills. Mid{entnc, she notcd rhc. * rc
cookia oDcooli.s mcks. Ooooo,shesFwithdrbiggsiof smiles, cookiel
B{h lully unds$ood d,e trss tu rceived { s anford ard also k rw how
erq. n vould have btrn 6los hdlife inrhrbikeLne.She.hoeosn€s.h
i.ciderritsdoerndmoaeon
Beth wis irNigh!tul. On ore visit to ou house, sbews carching up on the
nc* s about ou lid. I .drlogucd r$at crch onc wrs doing, how thcr lv.tu
doing. She vas ptrticuhdt ifteEsed nr hov'l'Lich wrs nanagin8wnh he.
bne. Sle srid slE felt sorrr for'liich dd rvst on to dphin. Shesid dutat
l.at shc hrd Id privicy. shc could pi.k and .hoorc vlo vould lo.w ibool
heriunesstrndthetiningof thishnovledgerrtrshe6.Tri.itr,shesrid,{oreher
t.oblem onherbr.k andnwasightrhereoutin reopenfbreveryoneto
-
.28
-

,ee Sl. oLldr' uk-" bFR trch ulog.otrci\.could no, ph-end *r,
he ohv.iGl.ondn,on ro,-"rouou.r-qInq\ w. BeL\.. tuid;, Jtded mr
to bc hore empaih€tic wjttr nicir and I an sndut ro he! fo; ihat gift.
B"d h6 oyru rdi,-6.o)b8i"b tLl eaLh4 io) b,ou8\rp-oph,o =r
ndrova r\ den e oflh . q6 ne, gifi o.ho\pibliry. how rij.i \d; okd,o
do lo' o" e' .'hrow
"
puR, br[- a ue-. n rk I s t,. Crr'en t er cjnu l
$mcs, it vould have bcd ersj, to be orhedse bu;ed wouldn t s€EIe for
" .. TLe s,nd"),b.ioE5he di.d.I .,opp-d ol wiil rr' ora6 $ hat Lne,
., uldtJker,.-u, of tFgatra Tnev;;n.ou,ide,ot;okJ. heg3d-
I n:'edflLBeL\..reE\.n,Le.rchen n bleii} ne..bo,;.
"nl
mJ.ne
por"ro.'lJd sh. hrd invied r f$ Irdd, (o
-om-
6,e h"r n shL rnd,L;
va prepuinS the food. r beli$e $ar n ws this sns of ioy thrt;Ioved |{
to squeeu so nuch out of, ad pu so much inb, her sh;r life.
My ravofite imagc ofBdh ws theeasi6t. . . n ws Betl oq her Moped, a rior
oibr(M .u,ls u roundins ey6 frrt ofjfe,
tr smire thrcould met(rhe poLr ke cp.
slewsreadrro de to vlaistr rhe r;d
altad held for hc. This imas€ is stil fry
$ons6t mmory oflcr Sse$l nondB
trso { lh€ @rner ofBrommer dd 38d, ai
thc tour sryitop.l encouneredr youns
umin on r Moped. The in.Ldenr tris-
Eered thar nemory ofBed and I Iausha
ou!ioudinthejoyofit.
Orc ofBdht redrcnt wonies M tha
she rvould nor be Emchbqed. Tl6e line
ftom a poem, I tiink by Enil]- DictiNn,
@mind ne of Bet!. It so€s. . . "Tl*€ is a
hole in my life whe lou ued o be. I walk
atuhd ir in the drr. Fal inio ir d tr
hufrslit. h"ll "
'iqli.
'l:m.
dotu h.al..rd pe,hJp.h{lo.'no loreo _t' tu lik. h.I HNev-,,ne
hoe {.eE\fr
-kn ro be lor h-,.ndt n.u e tor mrv orrtr,.
'.n,:n
-29-

-€3.r
tt _t-
Thc Bcth Blanchefte Menori2l Schohslip va seblisted a Cabrilo Coll%e_ Donarions
elgn,g toh $3 o $ 1,000 werc innhlb acivcd. Ovq the y€6 Crmd!2 Ro,, chie
{ T*ri, sahh Ed, Crudpa
"nd Jerr and r have conriburd o make a smnd toi,l in
r996 of$10,000.Ttar principal guamres an annftl shohship ofarledr g5oo ach
The Cabrillo Collegc loundfiion adniniseN dre shohFhip and N€d dns for publicity
purposes: Berh di.d ar the ase of22 of HodskiN Dncae. S[e bart€d tllh dise4e for
nin€ , ed. She gnduakd fron Apros High School s s,lublorian dnd Eeived rlc So1
,Alexrnd{ Resefle schohchip fron cabillo CoUege Fomddior Beth dredcd Cab lto
Collcge, UC Sme Barbra rnd UC Santa Cruz, majoringinenvironheMl$udi6. Beth
\rs 2 couREeous youns womn rvno tolched mni,people. ft ws hq decision to haye
this s.hohirlip awrdcd b l $udent urnsr{ring to a foF),eu ictiturion majorin€ in a
life scicnc. D{ht fahily and frieds nad. this sholaship possibte. Her pdens, r,'t rnd
Ron, and brother, Caig, and si$er, Seal, m prcud and gntined that er.h )'ear a
Cabrillo $udqr Is dn opportuniry ro rccciyeencouagcnenfto pus&hisorheicolese
educrtidn in Belht nanc."
Each Mal w havc thc oppoftunity to aftend lhe Schohdhip Awadr C€Fmony at
crbrillo and meet thc scholaship recipienr. ft itways Mns q, haft @ nE{ then rnd
h.r trbou hen baclground and goals.
Tlc fift rholarhip F.ipient in I t82 wrote ',{s.
ftll tine sll suppoiting sudar, I havc
ben faline worked to capa.iq, (and then s.he) q' my conbined work and nhoot sclEd,
ule. I cf€cialll apprecidtc th"(hh scholaBhip issensitive
t. studens offinancial need nr
thehumds.i€nce area. Youisuppodof sudcnBin
tbis area is averyposidve prc-lili
${dndi vlich is a f€ling thar is hsrtfelt in he."
Another rvrotc, At the rine rlat I s$miftd n/ applicaion, r w6 tryins to decide bc-
Meen an esier ccrtiticare prog.rn and a moE rugged nseis prognn. pd of my
decision to m.d the challetrge of r h6Er\ proglfr is due ro l]le ranins ofm/ oM self
drem s a resuh ofrecsnins this award. . .Crbillo h6 :lso ben nlporrdr in prcyiding
-10-

-*f,--
d oppo!turig' 16r me to ledn fon thetifc dpederce of oihs. etr dkrd aboutwh
clas I fomd mosr i6p;ins to me, r EteI the $ents that happeGt in L)n Deleldeis
Death dd Dying couis€. Borh Beth hd h{ nother spoke in rhjs clds and bu.hed rhe
liy6 ofnmr- people. Erh spoke { a difGrent rine. Bet!, undersoi,g chemotleap/ ar
rhe dmqwor rs{fand bEv€b'spok aboutler own feelings, hq dtit"de bw,;d hs
lamilj- and school m*6 ad people slle ner d Sid6id. She ws,eq- i,iidate and hon6t
abour h* Gelinss. She w$ very clear and brougLt a lqenc ofa appre.idion oftife. i
nrve kepr m appliadon fom wirh her pictuF. . .,,
Alother wrole wowITlank you s nlch for choosing ne b be rhe iecipient ofBdht
rholaBhipl I've never won r scholaship before. r v6 so dcit€d when r aeived iour
lctt{ rhar I c,ll.d weryore I knowt
Sa6I chose to have no maid ofhonor { her wedding. she alwats said ifsh€ couldn t lave
Bdh rs h{ dddanr, sheA have no one. rn$ead she Atred]ohn st€novi.h ro eacquaint
or innodMe Beth b wedding guss. He giae . poighnr klk rhar he had pElal in
Among oth{ dings, h€ bld rhe wedding gu6u, "had Beth bee! physicalty prsrt bdan
she would be vivrcioc, gorseous, chaming. rfter rhe 6mon)-you volld have 6und
she had r ks ror fife, ws connnred to idqs with r yision ofqaking th€ wodd a bder
plae b live. cu$s wodd haye snsd i{ tove ofh{ famity, rcutJhave feh i, the
pr$ence ot a pesotr who woutd have mde a good fdend, dd would have found h{
poliriel conm€nts ro b. very incisive and son*hd ir{treni B{h did not sutrcr 6ots
vell. she tovcd the ourdoois and wodd haye approyed of sahh and Edtj choice ofa
wedding sire [a prkl and th. sinpliciq, ofrhe whote atrair la picnic]. Stre wodd have
dhcused olI{hore oil driUing, the ned ro pbect dr evjronmei rhe N{ft Consets
ucy,Amnery Inemational and ju$whd is ceorse BNh iI about.._."
Y.lile John ws spakjng at the wddin& w couu nso hed lte consenr chaeriry of
-ll
-

\
-{--
- t-
Beth lftd b wd!€. One ofmr mos vivid inages ofBdh is ny*"lkin€ ilro her loom md
seing hr bent ovd hd d6le riring. She Motc imgrhy iefts wher slc B ftvettilg
md wote voldne ofjoutuals. 5!e would wdr p.Ron,l Gelings, lhoughts, od @narN
d weil s dtly lappcnings. S[e Jso included h ]E jounaL hoysong lrri6, po€ms and
sayirys. I found rhn "old lrish blBsing'miaen h one ofher joftnals.
May rhe wind b€ alwair at )'ou brct,
May ihe sun shine ram upo! your jic,
Ard lhe Bins fall soft upon you n€1&,
And until we meci again,
Mar- God hold /ou jn the palrn of Hii hdd.
I felt the ldsh bl6in8 m an llpropiac wa)' to dd dii lefts ro you bor, as something
spdal &om Beth, dd 6 Jan$ Hdris, a childlood friend, speaking ar Bct$ rn-)€ar
'Berh Lnrsone :t.ll. she:so,ring jn ourhem'
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