Betty Hess

Born in Idaho June 3, 1934 and was adopted by her Aunt Carrie and Sam Folsom. Her early childhood was spent in Nevada. Betty's parents moved to Coalinga California and she remained here her whole life. Betty attended Coalinga High and a secretarial school in Oakland. She married Joe Hess. They raised their children Mike, Jane, Kurt, and Shari in Coalinga.

Betty worked for her parents at the store they owned at Highway 33 and Highway 198 for several years . Betty was able to stay home with her young children. When the youngest started school, Betty went to work at Coalinga Unified School District. Starting as a classroom aid ,library aid and tutor, and eventually became the head secretary at Dawson School, where she trained many principals. When she retired from the school she became Joe's secretary for his construction business. Betty and Joe also watched over their grandchildren frequently picking them up after school.

Betty was a wonderful volunteer for Saint Paul's Catholic Church, where she did alter care (lots of ironing and cleaning), published the weekly bulletin on a Ditto machine. She helped manage the youth group at the church providing snacks and supervision for the teens. Betty and a group of other faithful Catholics also hosted Y.E.S.(Youth Encounter Spirit) weekends at West Hills College and led many Coalinga youth to the Lord.

After the grandkids were no longer needing her, she volunteered with the Fresno Rape Crisis Hotline. She would meet victims at the hospital if needed or counsel them on the phone. She helped distribute free food that was given at the senior center, and for a short time volunteer at the Coalinga Thrift shop.

Betty and Joe enjoyed traveling around the United States. Princess Tours took them to Washington DC ,Branson, and Historic Spots in America. Lewis and Clark trail and the Columbia River tour. They followed the Oregon Trail By bus. For their fiftieth anniversary the took the Amtrak all the way around the United States, stopping in Chicago New York (calling home from the top of the Empire state Building), DC, Savanah, New Orleans just to name a few. There were also several trips to Alaska usually with friends. Lots of Motorhome trips near and as far as Mazatlan, Mexico.

After they toured a lot of the US, the world awaited. Bermuda, United Kingdom, Scotland ,England, Wales and Ireland. They traveled to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji this was one of their favorites. A Grand Princes Tour took them to Istanbul and Barcelona and Spain.

Family was important to Betty and Joe and so was having fun together, which led to several family vacations. We all went to Lake Powell to rent a Houseboat for a week. This included stops in Laughlin, Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas. Betty and Joe learned how to sail with the Moorings so the could rent sailing yachts. We all went to Loreto, Baja Mexico and got on a huge yacht for 15 people we sailed the Sea of Cortez, exploring Beaches, snorkeling and ate a lot of fish. Through the Moorings Betty and Joe also we to the Virgin Islands and rented a smaller yacht(quite a bonding experience with Betty as 1st Mate). We also enjoyed snow skiing as a family at China Peak and Lake Tahoe. My parents bought an apple orchard near Meadow Lakes. Many weekends were spent there as there was always work, building, harvesting, pruning and processing apples. It was a great escape on the weekends. And the grandkids really liked going there.

Betty was involved with many organizations. She was a long time member of the Spinners and Weavers Fresno Guild learning and later sharing her many creations. She also loved to show off her spinning at the Coalinga School Pioneer Days and Civil War Reenactment at Kearney Park. The Coalinga Senior Thursday, January 9, 2025 1:14 PM Center was the place she met up with her friends for a meal, chair exercise and trips to a variety of places. Red Hatters was a fun organization for Betty, as was her Knit Wit friends who would meet at Starbucks to Knit and teach others their skills.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband Joe Hess, son Mark Hess, parents Sam and Carrie Folsom, and Grandchildren Geno and Andrea Hess. Survived by her children Mike Hess wife Sheri Ostrand, Jane Harper husband Curtis, Kurt Hess wife Kris Pace, Shari Scroggins husband Doyle. Grand children Sarah, Jessica, Leah, David and Erik, and 5 great grandchildren.

Celebration of Life will be at Saint Paul's Church in Coalinga on Friday February 7, 2025 starting with the Rosary at 9, Mass at 10, and lunch to follow.