Beth Pitney

BETH I. PITNEY Beth I. Pitney passed away July 3, 2015, in San Leandro, California. She was born to Fred and Annie Wraith Wallis on October 9, 1917, in Modesto, California. She lived her early years in that area where she graduated from Water-ford Grammar School, Oakdale Union High School and Modesto Junior College. In 1937 she moved to Berkeley, California, to attend the University of California where she graduated in 1939. She continued living in the Bay Area until retirement. After a variety of positions she worked as Personnel Assistant to the Industrial Manager of Pacific Coast Engineering (PACECO) a Subsidiary of Fruehauf Corp., in Alameda. She worked for this company 21 years. In 1944 she married Melvin Watson. They lived in the Oakland area until he passed away in 1964. During that time they enjoyed going to property they purchased overlooking Magalia Reservoir in the "Old Historic Town of Magalia." In 1965 she married one of her co-workers, Fred Pitney. They lived in the Montclair area of Oakland until they retired in 1978. At that time she and Fred retired to their vacation home in Magalia, California. They lived there until moving to the condominiums in Sierra Sunrise Village in Chico in 1989. During the last two years before moving they attended meetings at California Park Pavilion and helped plan that retirement community. After moving to the Lodge and 40 years of marriage, Fred passed away in 2004. She was formerly a member of the Community Baptist Church, Waterford, and the First Christian Church, Modesto. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Eighth Avenue Church, Broadway United Methodist Church and Montclair Methodist Church, Oakland. Also a former member of United Methodist Church, Paradise. Now a member of First Christian Church, Chico. Beth was a 50 Year Member a the Order of Eastern Star in California, Worthy Matron of Loma Vista Chapter of Eastern Star in Oakland in 1969, Life Member of two local Eastern Star Chapters: Josephine - Chico Chapter #104 and Paradise Chapter #549. She was a Life Member of the Feather River Hospital Auxiliary and one of its past presidents 1985), She was a Charter Member of the Paradise Branch of the American Association of University Women (MUW). Member of Prime Timers, the Learning - in Retirement organization at the California State University, Chico, from 1989-2002. She loved to travel, enjoyed reading and always liked to sew. She is survived by her sister, Marion Nelson, her niece, Pam Campodonico, her cousin, Om Wraith, her step son, Melvin Watson, her step granddaughters, Sylvia, Sharon, Leslie, Parris, and Audrey. Memorial services will be held at 2pm, Wed., July 15 at Brusie Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Beth's name to the charity of your choice . View obituary and send condolences online at brusiefh.com