Betty Mae Serpa passed away peacefully in her home on April 30, 2017 at her active age of 90.
She was born December 7, 1926 in Oakland, CA. Betty moved to Watsonville as a young girl where she remained the rest of her life, always loving having family and friends by her side. She enjoyed a long career as a music teacher when she was younger and taught many of the local youths how to play the Accordion (back when the Accordion was actually popular).
Some of Betty’s fondest memories were growing up fishing with her mom and dad, then later in life taking many camping and fishing trips with her own family. She also looked forward to her yearly trips to Maui with her family when her granddaughter Nikki was young. Betty and her husband Willie enjoyed numerous vacations with their daughter-in-law’s parents, Ed and Helen Bowles, as they became GREAT traveling Partners together. Betty was lucky enough to go on an African Safari, which was something she had always wanted to check off her ” Bucket List “. One of her most special trips was flying to Arizona to see Nikki graduate from Massage Therapy School and relaxing floating in the Resorts Lazy River in the afternoons. Betty would have traveled anywhere in the world for Nikki because she was one of the GREAT loves of her life! Betty also said how lucky she was to have had so many great friends throughout her life, especially a very close bond she shared with two of her oldest and dearest friends, B.J. Resetar and Joan Lane.
Betty’s entire family would like to thank her long time Doctors, Jefferey Mace and MaryLou Romo, for all their years of help, thoughtfulness and kindness above and beyond! Also the nursing staff and hospice team at Dominican Hospital, all the Valley Heights Convalescant staff, and her wonderful caregivers from Maximillian Home Care. A special thanks to Dr. Michael Yen and his staff for always sharing their love and compassion when she needed it the most, and to Dr. Michael Suvall and Michelle for all their extra help in her final days!
Betty was preceded in death by her parents Steve and Ethel Sambrailo and her husband Willie. She leaves her sons Rick (Michael), Ron (LuAnn), granddaughter Nikki and many nieces and nephews. At Betty’s request there was no service but a donation can be made to a favorite charity.
Thank you to ALL who were part of her WONDERFUL LIFE! She lives on in our hearts! The Serpa Family. Arrangements have been entrusted in the care of the Carroll Family of Ave Maria Memorial Chapel, www.avemariamemorialchapel.com.
