"Betty"

Elizabeth Putnam Tribute 1/2/12

Elizabeth Putnam was born in Ukiah, Calif. 9/26/1916 and died in Hood River Dec. 11, 2011 having moved there in 2007.  She grew up in the Bay area and attended San Jose State College, but WWII intervened and she enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) or WAC.   She ran an overseas recreational facility in Bremen, Germany. After the war, she completed her degree in physical education at San Jose State and her master’s degree in PE at UCLA.  She taught in the LA County high schools for many years.  In 1962 she married Palmer Putnam, an engineer, who died in 1986.   They moved to Atascadero in the 70’s where she became involved in the local American Assoc. of University Women serving as President in 1979; she was the AAUW State Taking Hold of Technology chair, was Central Coast District Chair 1985-1987, published a Friendly Connection for the state branches, started the local interbranch, supported the Education Foundation scholarships for women, started a membership sandpile group, and began the Friendship group.  She helped start Mobile Meals, the local Women’s Resource , Friends of the Library and  participated in career day at the Jr. High,  She was instrumental in organizing the Math-Science Day for 7^th -10^th grade girls at Cuesta Jr. College and was involved in the Art Park Grant the branch received in 1985.  Elizabeth started all the Board awards and received the local Community Service Award in 1990 and the President’s Board Award in 1991 and 1994.  She had a part in establishing the local scholarship award given by our Atascadero AAUW.   She received the Atascadero Educational Foundation named gift Honoree award in 1984, and the California State Honoree award in 2008.   She was active in the branch until 2006 and attended the branch’s 70^th anniversary in 2002.  Her influence on the local branch was profound and she is sorely missed.   A memorial service will be held for her in Atascadero the first weekend in May.  Those who wish can leave a note of condolence for the family at www.andersonstributecenter.com.  Her entire obituary may be found at http://www.hoodrivernews.com/ns/obituaries/8442/obituary-elizabeth-putnam                          

Written by Janet Grummitt 1/2/12