Betty J. Semper

Betty Jane Semper was born March, 3, 1942, in Auburn, California, to parents Harry Okusako and Alice Yego. She, along with her brother, Danny, and her parents were interned at Tule Lake during World War 2.

Betty completed elementary school in the Penryn Elementary School District. She graduated from Placer Union High School in 1960, where she received a Bank of America Award and a National Office Management Association Spelling Certificate for completing a 600-word spelling project with 100 percent accuracy. Betty also was selected to appear in the 1959-60 edition of Who’s Who Among Student Leaders in High Schools of America, and was a lifetime member of the California Scholarship Federation (Chapter Number 120).

Betty went on to Armstrong College in Berkeley, where she was named to the Dean’s List, and elected as a member of Alpha Sigma Rho. She obtained her Associate in Arts in Secretarial Administration in 1963.

Betty did some work as a travel agent, and visited such places as Hong Kong, Japan, and the Philippines.

On October 15, 1967, she married Rogelio Encarnacion Semper in San Diego, California. She had three children: Jennifer (1968), Julie (1973), and Joel (1977). In December 1978, she received a Diploma in Administrative Assistant from La Salle Extension University.

In addition to raising her family, Betty worked as a sales assistant for KyXy Radio, then Clear Channel Communications, both in Kearny Mesa.

Betty’s hobbies included cooking and baking. She made awesome zucchini bread and persimmon cookies. Betty was known for having a sweet tooth, and for saying, “There’s always room for dessert!” Her favorite was oatmeal raisin cookies. She also liked to frequent Yum Yum and Winchell’s Donuts for a cup of coffee and a honey wheat or glazed donut.

In recent years, her favorite thing to do was spend time with her grandson, Rainen James (RJ) Vidamo Semper, now two-and-a-half years old. She was playfully and affectionately known as “Bachan.”

Betty also enjoyed watching the Food Network channel, particularly the shows, “Chopped,” “Iron Chef America,” and “Cupcake Wars.” She also loved spending time with the wonderful friends on the Luther Street cul-de-sac. They became known as the “Buffet Gang,” visiting various buffets and restaurants to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries.

Betty spent the remainder of her days at the San Diego Hospice Inpatient Care Center battling urethral cancer. She was in the care of wonderful people there who made sure she was comfortable at all times. She passed away peacefully on December 30, 2011.

Although Betty is not with us anymore physically, we know she is watching over us. We will miss her gentle spirit and beautiful smile. Betty is survived by her husband, Rogelio; daughters, Jennifer and Julie; son, Joel; daughter-in-law, Katherine; and grandson, RJ.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at 10:00 am in the Chapel of Roses at Glen Abbey Memorial Park and Mortuary.