I can remember going to my first DKG meeting and meeting Bertha. She was tough as nails and always to the point and by the books. I was initiated in 1989 so she had already been a member of Gamma Zeta chapter for 18 years. She was President 1986-1988 the years before I was initiated and received the Golden Rose Award in 2003.
I remember Bertha as being a truly dedicated member of Gamma Zeta. If anyone wanted to know the way things were supposed to be done we looked to Bertha for Parlimentary Procedure and guidelines about protocol. I remember when I became president for the first time in 2002, I was terrified that I would do something wrong! But all went well and with gentle mentoring, by members like Bertha, I made it through the year.
Bertha was born in Downey Hospital and attended grades 1-12 in Downey Schools. Her parents had a chicken ranch in Downey at Lakewood and Imperial Blvd. Her father died when she was 16 and she was the eldest of three girls. Her mother worked in the kitchen at St. Francis Hospital and put all three of the girls through College. Bertha graduated with a BA in 1952 and received her MS in 1959 at Immaculate Heart College.
Bertha became a teacher at Compton Elementary in 1952-54, Downey Unified 1954-71, and became principal of Downey Unified 1971-1986.
After retiring as a principal for 17 years, she tutored and volunteered in the classroom and taught Religious Education to children in grades 4-7. She helped with various Soroptimist activities that involved children in Downey.
I met Mary Hoffman when she was initiated into our chapter in 1989. She was also a teacher in Downey Unified and taught for 37 years. She retired in 1993. She was eleven when her father died and went to Downey Schools. She graduated from Long Beach City College and CSULB. She was Teacher of the Year and an Honorary Life Member of PTA.
Bertha and Mary did everything together. They lived together and traveled together to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. They hosted many Gamma Zeta meetings and before moving to Huntington Beach organized Gamma Zeta garage sales from their home in Downey that raised the funds we needed for our scholarship recipients for many years.
In 1999, they initiated their niece, Marsha Gastelum, into our chapter. Marsha has been a dynamic member. She was our chapter president in 2004-2006 and is currently our Corresponding Secretary. She is keeping their memory alive and carrying on the tradition of " "Gamma Zetaness" in their family.
Bertha passed away on April 6, 2011 and Mary on January 7, 2013.
Gamma Zeta members remember, with fondness, their dedication and committment to children, educational ideals, community and to their own growth as professional educators.
They will remain in our hearts as true Gamma Zeta Sisters and will be missed.
I remember Bertha as being a truly dedicated member of Gamma Zeta. If anyone wanted to know the way things were supposed to be done we looked to Bertha for Parlimentary Procedure and guidelines about protocol. I remember when I became president for the first time in 2002, I was terrified that I would do something wrong! But all went well and with gentle mentoring, by members like Bertha, I made it through the year.
Bertha was born in Downey Hospital and attended grades 1-12 in Downey Schools. Her parents had a chicken ranch in Downey at Lakewood and Imperial Blvd. Her father died when she was 16 and she was the eldest of three girls. Her mother worked in the kitchen at St. Francis Hospital and put all three of the girls through College. Bertha graduated with a BA in 1952 and received her MS in 1959 at Immaculate Heart College.
Bertha became a teacher at Compton Elementary in 1952-54, Downey Unified 1954-71, and became principal of Downey Unified 1971-1986.
After retiring as a principal for 17 years, she tutored and volunteered in the classroom and taught Religious Education to children in grades 4-7. She helped with various Soroptimist activities that involved children in Downey.
I met Mary Hoffman when she was initiated into our chapter in 1989. She was also a teacher in Downey Unified and taught for 37 years. She retired in 1993. She was eleven when her father died and went to Downey Schools. She graduated from Long Beach City College and CSULB. She was Teacher of the Year and an Honorary Life Member of PTA.
Bertha and Mary did everything together. They lived together and traveled together to Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. They hosted many Gamma Zeta meetings and before moving to Huntington Beach organized Gamma Zeta garage sales from their home in Downey that raised the funds we needed for our scholarship recipients for many years.
In 1999, they initiated their niece, Marsha Gastelum, into our chapter. Marsha has been a dynamic member. She was our chapter president in 2004-2006 and is currently our Corresponding Secretary. She is keeping their memory alive and carrying on the tradition of " "Gamma Zetaness" in their family.
Bertha passed away on April 6, 2011 and Mary on January 7, 2013.
Gamma Zeta members remember, with fondness, their dedication and committment to children, educational ideals, community and to their own growth as professional educators.
They will remain in our hearts as true Gamma Zeta Sisters and will be missed.