Elizabeth "Betty" Josephine Stolte

Elizabeth (“Betty”) Josephine Stolte, our beloved mom, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, passed away peacefully on Friday September 4th, 2020, at the age of 92. She is survived by her daughter Karen (Richard) Drinkward, son John (Michelle) Stolte, 11 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and sister-in-law’s Gayle and Rosemary. She is preceded in death by her son “Baby Jonnie” who was just a year old when he passed away.

Betty was born March 1, 1928 in Jersey City, New Jersey to John Thomas Hayes and Mary Josephine Murphy. She was predeceased by her four siblings, James, Francis, John and Margaret. As a young girl her independent (and slightly stubborn) side of her personality took over when she decided to go against her mother’s orders and skated down a steep street. She lost control and fell, breaking her wrist. She did not want to tell her mother what she had done, so she decided to grin and bear it, and had a disfigured wrist the rest of her life!

Betty graduated from Saint Michaels High School, Jersey City, New Jersey in 1945. The senior page of her yearbook says “Betty was known as the “Irish Lassie” with her expressive blue eyes, quick smile and witty sayings. She is a friend to everyone and an enemy to none. Her ringing laughter, yet gentle manners will never be forgotten. The future “must” hold success for such a girl.” This description rang true to the end. Everyone fortunate enough to have crossed paths with Betty knows what an incredible person she was. She was always smiling, laughing and telling funny stories. Her sense of humor and love of life always made you feel better after a conversation with her.

Betty and John were married on September 1, 1951 at Saint Paul’s church. Betty first saw John when “I was walking down Lembeck Street and saw an attractive young man up on a ladder, in scorching heat, painting his parent’s house. I said to myself, “Now that is the type of man I want to meet! Someone who works hard and helps his family.” Wedding bells followed a few years later.

Betty was a devout Roman Catholic. She spent a lengthy tenure of over a decade as a volunteer for Our Lady of the Assumption Church preparing the Sunday Bulletin and helping wherever possible, like volunteering to count money at the yearly fiesta.

After Karen’s birth, Betty and John were on the move… First to Illinois and then to Covina, California where John was born. Betty was a highly active volunteer in the PTA and Campfire Girls. Her volunteer work with the Campfire Girls led to her transitioning to a paid, full-time position managing operations. Betty was also an avid bowler, at Eastland Bowling Lanes, often dragging Karen and John along to watch.

Family summer vacations were always in two parts. The first half spent at the beach, the central coast, or seeing the redwoods. The second half was always in one of Betty’s favorite places, Las Vegas! She loved the slot machines and was one of the few women at the time that played craps. Her love of Las Vegas never wavered and there were many trips taken later with her dear sister-in-law Rosemary.

While her husband John golfed most Saturdays, Betty would take Karen and John to some of her favorite interesting spots including the LAX theme building, Tijuana and various horse racetracks.

In 1977 Betty’s life was turned upside down when her beloved husband John passed away from a heart condition. This happened just as daughter Karen had married and her son John was graduating from high school and preparing to leave for college in northern California. John wanted to stay home and help his mom, but Betty knew it was best for John to get an education. Always thinking of what was best for her children, she told him he was absolutely going to college!

The business experience Betty gained working for the Campfire Girls led her to a job at the City of Claremont’s permit and planning department, where she retired after 20 years. While she was working there, she decided, at the age of 51, to return to college and get her degree. Before her 55th birthday, she walked down the aisle and received her Associates of Arts Degree in Business from Mt. San Antonio College!

Betty loved to travel and took many sightseeing trips with her sister Margaret (Peggy). Her family was everything to her! She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. She traveled to the east coast every year to attend the Hayes’ Family Reunions. It meant the world to her to get to spend time with her extended family. If there was an event, she was there. Whether it be a Birthday, Holiday celebration or various activities. She had such a great bond with her family. She was a fiercely independent woman who remained in her Covina home, where she and her husband had raised both their children, well into her 80’s. Elizabeth (Betty) Stolte, our Mom, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Sister-in-law, Cousin and Friend with her beautiful smile, her wicked sense of humor and her thoroughly deep love for life will be dearly missed. You will be forever in our hearts. We love you!!!