Betty Mildred Hirsch

Died September 20, 2010. Betty Hirsch, 96, died at her home in Deer Creek Manor, Santa Rosa, CA. Betty was born July 14, 1914 in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota, to Augustus and Agnes Atkins. After cattle ranching in South Dakota her parents traveled around the country with their children in search of work. The family ended up in California where Betty attended high school in Carmichael and Grass Valley. After attending Heald College in San Francisco, Betty worked as a secretary for Trumbull Corp. where she met and married electrical engineer Walter C. Hirsch. Although their children were all born in San Francisco, they decided to raise them in the country and moved to Sebastopol, CA in 1948. After Walter retired from Mare Island Navel Shipyard in Vallejo they moved to Grass Valley. In 1997, 13 years after Walter's death, Betty moved to Santa Rosa, CA to be geographically closer to her children. She is remembered by her children as a caring and accepting person whose home was always open to her children, their families and friends. Survivors include three sons John (Carroll) Hirsch of Sebastopol, CA, David (Julie) Hirsch of Willows, CA, Richard (Gina) Hirsch of Willits, CA; eight grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Walter, her brothers Graham and Douglas Atkins, her sister Ruth Novak, and her grandson Mike Hirsch. Betty's family extends their sincere gratitude and thanks to the staff of Deer Creek Manor and of Memorial Hospice who took wonderful and loving care of her. A memorial service was held September 24th at Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Grass Valley. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Memorial Hospice, 821 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Arrangements by ~ LAFFERTY & SMITH, SANTA ROSA, CA AND HOOPER & WEAVER, GRASS VALLEY, CA.