Obituary of Beverly J Watts

Bev Watts peacefully left this earth on Sunday May 26 while recovering from an illness. She was 89 years old. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Harold Watts of Santa Cruz, son Jeffrey Watts (Amy) of Kailua, Hawaii, son Phillip Watts (Cindy) of Hanapepe, Hawaii and daughter Donna Watts Miguel (Victor) of Santa Cruz, her grandchildren, Ben Watts, Camille Watts, Raina Watts, Lucretia Miguel Deane and Michael Miguel and her great-grandchildren Riley and Lily Deane. Bev was born in Fresno, California on September 1, 1923, to Margaret and Garrett Van Buren. Bev and her mother moved to Watsonville, California in her teenage years where she graduated from Watsonville High School in 1940. Soon after, they moved to Santa Cruz and Bev enrolled in Salinas Junior College. It was there that she met her future husband and soul mate Harold Watts. During this time she worked at several jobs including as a secretary at Salz Tannery and at Leasks Department store. In 1945 Bev and Hal married at her home, the historic Bret Harte Honeymoon Cottage on Church Street in Santa Cruz. Hal was a naval aviator at the time and their first few years of marriage were spent moving between his navy assignments. In 1953 Bev and Hal moved to New Jersey with their two young sons where Hal began his lengthy career as a pilot for United Airlines flying out of New York and Newark. In 1955 Hal was lucky enough to be stationed at San Francisco International Airport and they returned to Santa Cruz as their home. After their return to Santa Cruz their family was completed with the birth of their daughter Donna. Bev and Hal were involved in the Santa Cruz community in different ways over the years. Bev was a board member of SCOPE, and of the Cabrillo College Stroke Center. Both Bev and Hal were among the founding members of the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History and were life long members of the First Congregational Church of Santa Cruz. For years Bev taught Sunday School classes and led youth services at the church. Bev had many interests in life and a thirst for knowledge. From an early age she had a gift for acting and her father had wishes and plans for her to attend Pasadena Playhouse in Los Angeles. Life and love however altered the course of her future and her talents were redirected in more local events such as the Omega Nu Follies where many will never forget her memorable reading of "The Treasurers Report". She loved to garden and do crossword puzzles. But most of all Bev had a love of people and talent for making everyone feel important. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a keen wit that made any meeting of friends or strangers interesting and entertaining. She was honest, sincere and loved to give freely of her mind, heart and belongings. Bev was a classy lady full of love for life and nature. Life will not be the same without her but the world was a better place because of her. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Bev's life to be held in her garden at 240 Sheldon Avenue on Saturday June 15th at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family wishes that contributions be made to the Tannery Arts Center, 1050 River Street, Santa Cruz or First Congregational Church, 900 High Street, Santa Cruz.