Obituary of Stella Mae Bettencourt

Stella Mae Bettencourt Stella Mae Bettencourt of Watsonville passed away on July 11, 2010, she was 81 years old. Born on July 9, 1929 in Leedey, Oklahoma, Stella moved to Santa Cruz in 1936 where she met and married Richard Bettencourt in 1948. In 1958, Dick and Stella moved to San Jose with their three young children, Rick, Louis and Linda. In 1965, they relocated the family to Watsonville where they opened the very first "Speedee Mart" 7-11. In her spare time, Stella enjoyed photography, gardening and spending time with her family. She was amazingly talented in the kitchen, especially when it came to baking goodies for her family. Stella has been a past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, a member of the Wiseacres group of the Holy Eucharist Catholic Community and a member of the Camera Club. Stella was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Richard Bettencourt. She is survived by her sister Nina Grazian of Lodi, CA and three children; Linda Bettencourt of Bethesda, MD, Rick Bettencourt of Bakersfield, CA, and Louis Bettencourt of Salem, OR. Stella also leaves behind four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and extended family throughout Santa Cruz County. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 15, 2010 beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church, Corralitos, Ca. Visitation will be on Wednesday, July 14, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Benito & Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel. Please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com to express your condolences and sign the online memorial guestbook. Flowers are appreciated and contributions may be made in Stella's name to the Stroke Center at Cabrillo College: 6500 Soquel Dr. Aptos, CA. 95003 or to the Holy Eucharist Catholic Community: 527 Corralitos Rd. Corralitos, CA 95076.