Betty Bagby Lewis

Betty Bagby Lewis died November 5, 2008, at her home in Watsonville. She was 83. A native of Fresno, she and her family moved to Santa Cruz when she was 4 years old. She attended Mission Hill School, Santa Cruz High School, and later attended Salinas Junior College, where she met her future husband, Monte Lewis. They were married in 1946 and in 1965 they moved to Watsonville.

Mrs. Lewis became interested in the history of Watsonville after they purchased their historic home on Beach St., the Judge Julius Lee House designed by famed architect, William H. Weeks. She began writing articles and radio programs, and later wrote several books, including "Watsonville Memories that Linger." Just a few of her many awards and honors included: first woman selected as Grand Marshal of Watsonville's Fourth of July parade in 1977, Woman of the Year, Watsonville Chamber of Commerce in 1987, the Rotary Club Paul Harris Award in 1996 for excellence in contributing to the community, named official Watsonville City Historian by the City Council in 2005 and "Historian of the Year" by the Museum of Art and History in Santa Cruz in 2008. Mrs. Lewis was also a past president and instrumental in the beginnings of the Pajaro Valley Historical Asso.

Mrs. Lewis leaves her husband of 62 years, Monte, of the family home in Watsonville; her children, Christie Lewis of Watsonville, Marci Plank of La Conner, WA, Kelly Anderson of Bellevue, WA, and Mike Lewis of Aptos; her grandchildren Heidi Plank of La Conner, WA, Misty Lively of Sedro-Wooley, WA, Oliver Bengle of Worchester, MA, Josh Lewis of San Diego, Jean-Luc Bengle of Bellevue, WA, Kelsey Lewis of Santa Cruz, and Abi Lewis who is currently an exchange student in Italy; great-grandchildren Max and Sam Gilbertson of Culver, OR; and her brother, James Bagby of Astoria, NY.

She is preceded in death by her brother Robert Bagby.

Memorial services will be Saturday, November 22, 2008, 2:00 p.m. at the United Presbyterian Church, 112 E. Beach St., Watsonville. Donations are preferred to the United Presbyterian Church, or to Hospice Caring Project of Santa Cruz Co., 940 Disc Dr., Scotts Valley, CA 95066. Arrangements are under the direction of Mehl's Colonial Chapel.