Early December 26, 2022 Betty Pacheco left behind a full, well-lived 89 years. Her intelligence and kindness positively touched the lives of many friends, family, students and co-workers. She was always eager to learn more and especially to know about people she talked to. Somehow she was related to everyone she met. She was also known for her love of Cal Bears and See's chocolates. Born to Tony Pacheco and Stella Serpa in rural Fremont, she attended Hayward public schools until she entered the University of California Berkeley at age 16. There she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees in Education and later followed her doctorate from the University of the Pacific.Betty worked as a counselor/teacher in San Leandro and then Newark, eventually moving into administration as principal at Newark Memorial before becoming Superintendent of Schools in Cupertino. After retiring from Cupertino, she continued to work at Santa Clara University and San Jose State University in their Administrator Training programs. In 1994 she was recognized as Woman of the Year by the California State Legislature for her "outstanding service and dedication to the people of the State of California".She is survived by her closest and best friend, Pat Simon, by a large family with many cousins, and by numerous friends. A Vigil Service will be held Tuesday, January 3 at 6:00 pm with viewing from 4-8 pm at Fremont Memorial Chapel, 3723 Peralta Blvd., Fremont. There will be a Funeral Mass at 9:30 am on Wednesday, January 4 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 37588 Fremont Blvd., Fremont. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or your local food bank.

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Published by East Bay Times on Jan. 1, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Betty Pacheco

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16 Entries

Paula Aiello

Planted Trees

Susan Adams

April 25, 2023

I'm so sorry to hear of Betty's passing. She was truly a warm, wonderful person, and incredibly intelligent. Humanity will miss her!

Rick Simas

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Rick Simas

January 9, 2023

Betty was my first real "boss"-the first administrator I ever worked for. She hired me right out of college when I was 23 years old with no teaching experience to speak of, beyond my student teaching. So, she took a real chance on me. Memorial High School was just a few years old. Their theatre was still being built. And I was hired to be the new Drama teacher, so I would have the opportunity to be the first to teach classes and direct plays and musicals in that wonderful space. I loved working for Betty. She was kind, generous, inspiring, supportive-everything a teacher who was just starting out could want. And I really came to appreciate, teaching at a number of schools after leaving MHS, how lucky I was to have had Betty to guide and mentor me at the outset of my career. I kept in touch with her over the years, as I enjoyed her company, and was always grateful to her for starting me on my way. I last saw Betty and Pat, with my friends Harold and Maribeth Smith, in Ashland, Oregon in the summer of 2018. Great memories....

Paul Goularte

January 9, 2023

I knew Betty through my Uncle Dan Goularte and through my Dad Tony Goularte. And yes, as part of the class of 1977... I was lucky to have her as a Principal. She was an amazing person. Just hearing her name brings back so many good memories.

Barbara Williams

January 3, 2023

I was privileged to work as a teacher with dear Betty Pacheco for many years at NMHS. She was an outstanding principal and a good friend to all of us. I missed her grace and brilliant mind when she moved on to other districts. I know that many of us will keep her memory alive in our hearts. I send all my sympathy to her family and all of her dear friends.

Maribeth Smith

January 2, 2023

Betty Pacheco was both my friend and colleague. In a long education career, including working with educators in many school districts across the country, I found her to be among the best high school educators that I ever worked with. High schools are a special educational setting in our country. Not every educator is suited to work with or on behalf of high school students, but Betty understood high schools inside out, including the complexity of the curriculum, the relationship of extracurricular activity to meeting educational outcomes, and the importance of finding and retaining the highest quality teachers and administrators. She understood that the quality of the football coach is as important as the quality of the English teacher.

Sondra Lebon

January 2, 2023

I feel very fortunate to have known Betty Ann. I always admired her knowledge and wisdom. I don't believe I knew you had received such an honorable award. You were so worthy of this. Every conversation we ever had was such a pleasant experience. You had a way with words like no one I have ever met. I love the stories you shared about childhood experiences with my mother. Always made me laugh! I really wish I could have told you this before you left this world. Hopefully I did at some point over the years. Rest in Peace.

Harold Smith

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Tina Dichesare

January 2, 2023

She was my principal and she kept me from getting into serious trouble my senior was. I never saw her in a bad mood I am sorry for the family

Adolfo Jesus Membreno

January 2, 2023

My dear Principal; Rest in peace. I have never forgotten her and will never forget her for all the things she approved for me while I was a student at Memorial High School, being a foreigner from Nicaragua. God put her in my path to make so many things easier for me at that time. My respects and condolences to the family.
Adolfo Membreno
Class of 1975

Gail Stevens

Planted Trees

Gail Stevens

January 2, 2023

Thank you Betty Pacheco for the honor of working under your inspiration and sharing in the beauty of the human spirit that you personified. Rest in peace until we all join you to gather together once again.

Sondra Lebon

January 2, 2023

I am very blessed to have known Betty Ann what I called her. I always admired her intelligence and wisdom. I very much enjoyed all of the conversations we had and the stories of childhood memories she shared about my mother. I did not know or perhaps remember that she received an award from the state. What a well deserved honor! Rest in peace.