Betty Bourke passed away in Watsonville on July 9 at the age of 92.
She was born on September 27, 1926 in Isabella, Oklahoma and came to California at the age of three. She grew up in Los Angeles, graduating from Belmont High in 1944.
She and David Bourke married in 1945 and bought a home in Long Beach where they raised their two children and lived until 1983. Betty and Dave enjoyed traveling all over the United States in their RV. They moved to Watsonville in 1983 to be closer to their children.
Betty was involved in Cub Scouts, Campfire Girls, PTA, church, Watsonville Hospital Service League and Watsonville Women’s Club. Her creative endeavors included needlecrafts, leaded glass, and growing flowers. She loved animals and had a keen eye for identifying wild birds.
She is survived by son Robert Bourke (Megan) of Lincoln, CA, daughter Laurie Goodman (Paul) of Aromas, grandsons David Bourke (Brynn), Thomas Bourke (Stephanie), Patrick Goodman, Daniel Goodman (Yeji), and great grandsons Jensen and Camden Bourke.
She also leaves a nephew and two nieces in Southern California.
She was preceded in death by her husband David in 1997 after 52 years of marriage, her mother Bessie Cox and her sister Vivien Wells.
The family will gold a private celebration of her life. Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Santa Cruz County or the Santa Cruz County SPCA.
Arrangements have been entrusted in the care of The Carroll Family of Ave Maria Memoria Chapel, avemariamemorialchapel.com.
