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Betty Lehmer Ortez
March 12, 1922 - July 12, 2018
Resident of Sunnyvale
Betty passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on July 12, 2018. She was born on March 12, 1922, in Mt. Vernon, NY and grew up in White Plains, NY, where her father, Dr. Norman Lehmer, was a dentist and her mother, Edna Steinkamp Lehmer, was a homemaker. Betty spent summers on the Connecticut shore where her family owned a cottage in the Laurel Beach community of Milford. She graduated from Skidmore College in 1944 and served in the American Red Cross in Okinawa immediately after WW2 where she met her former husband and father of her three children, Anthony Ortez, of San Jose.
Betty lived in Sunnyvale, CA from 1953 until her death. She taught primarily 4th and 5th grades in the Cupertino School District, mostly at Luther School, for 22 years. She also spent three memorable summers in the early 1960s as a counselor at Manzanita Ranch near Hyampom in Northern California, where her kids enjoyed many wonderful experiences.
Throughout her life, Betty was passionate about local and national politics and an activist on issues she believed in such as Single-Payer Healthcare. She was a member of the Raging Grannies, who promote peace, justice, and social and economic equality through humorous protest songs. Betty was an avid traveler, both for pleasure and education (Elderhostel), and also participated in numerous international conferences through her association with Unitarian Universalist Women and Religion and The Women's International League for Peace and Freedom. She was a long-time member of the UU Fellowship of Sunnyvale, 1112 South Bernardo Avenue. A celebration of life will be held there on Saturday, October 20th at 2 pm.
Betty is survived by her children, David Ortez (Joli Wilson) of San Rafael, Linda Adams (Jim) of Trinidad, and Margie Ortez of Pleasanton; granddaughters Allison Adams of Kailua-Kona, HI, Rachel Adams (Rafel Grau Sàbat) and great-grandson (Kolya Lehmer Tiana) of Sunnyvale. Her sister Barbara Lehmer Carder resides in Darien, CT.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you honor Betty's memory with a donation to UU Fellowship of Sunnyvale or San Jose Peace & Justice Center.
View the online memorial for Betty Lehmer Ortez
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5 Entries
ACTIVIST WITH A SENSE OF HUMOR
I knew Betty through our mutual participation in Unitarian Universalist Women and Religion (UUWR) activities. She faithfully attended UUWR meetings and annual retreats. Her sense of humor and her commitment to women's human rights globally stand out for me. We both attended the UN-NGO Women's Conference in Beijing China in 1995. We spent 10 days in the muddy conference grounds among the colorful booths. Many extraordinary presentations were held on the stages, often in the rain. She and I shared our experiences with a large gathering of supporters in the UU Society of San Francisco sanctuary by acting out a skit we had written together, using umbrellas and raincoats as props. Lots of laughs and important remarks all around. Betty, Presente! ~Liz Fisher
We remember Betty's active interest in politics and the depth of her knowledge about current events. She was a progressive liberal who had a vision for the way things could be improved, backing up her opinions with facts. Volunteering for many causes, she did what needed to be done. She was an inspiration to us! We also remember attending her 65th birthday celebrations held in a Chinese Restaurant in Sunnyvale. We learned then that Betty could throw a rousing party, making everyone feel comfortable. May she travel well! Love to her family, from Liz and Bob Fisher
October 3, 2018
dear linda, allison and rachel, i am sending love and condolences to you and to all of your mom's loved ones. i enjoyed reading about your mom in this tribute. she sounds amazing. much love, sarah
sarah mills
September 26, 2018
That's a fine tribute to your Mom. She was a great friend. My best to the three of you and your kids, Betty was a joy. She brought up three great kids.
We will all miss her, it seems like an era drawing to a close.
George Martin
September 18, 2018
Sorry for the loss of your mom...I remember her from the Arbor days...Would love to reconnect with any of you...Claudia Allinson, which used to be Bandy....
September 16, 2018
Sorry for your loss... I remember Betty from my days on Arbor St....Would love to reconnect with anyone of her children....Claudia Allinson, which used to be Bandy....
Claudia Allinson
September 16, 2018
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