Betty Ellen Medema

Betty Ellen Medema, a 42-year resident of La Cañada Flintridge, passed away of natural causes on Aug. 4.

She was 83. Graveside services were held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Aug. 8.

Betty was born in Los Angeles on Sept. 10, 1921 and most of her childhood and adult life were spent in the Los Angeles area. In 1940 she graduated from Dorsey High School and soon after graduation became a telephone operator at Pacific Telegraph and Telephone.

Following the Second World War, she moved to La Crescenta to be closer to her parents who had retired in the area. She soon met Max Medema, her husband of 40 years, while sharing a carpool with him from Montrose to downtown Los Angeles. He was working for Pacific Bell as a junior executive and they married in 1954. In 1963, after Max had a brief assignment in San Diego for Pacific Bell, they relocated, this time to La Cañada Flintridge. They both became active in the community and joined La Cañada Presbyterian Church where Betty was a member until her death. Max her husband, died in 1993.

Betty will be greatly missed. She was a wonderful mother, friend, and grandmother, who was admired and loved by many. She was always there with a kind word of encouragement or just a smile. Always making people feel better was one of her many gifts.

In 1981, at age 60, Betty went back to work as a PBX operator for Verdugo Hills Hospital where she worked until retirement in July of 2000 at the age of 79. She often felt that her being a vital part of such a wonderful organization kept her young at heart. The family has requested that donations be given to Verdugo Hills Hospital Foundation (in memory of Betty Medema), 1812 Verdugo Blvd., Glendale, CA 91208. For more information please call 952-2226.

Betty is survived by her family, Jana and Dennis VanDyck of Montrose, twin sons Max and Robert of La Cañada and Eagle Rock, respectively, and two grandchildren, Katelyn and Wyatt.