Betty McKee, a proud California native, passed away in San Diego on November 10, 2011.  Formerly Elizabeth Arnold, she was born July 26, 1921 in Los Angeles to Frankie Winninette and Dr. Ralph Arnold, a renowned leading geologist in America.  Betty was the granddaughter of two pioneering families settling in Southern California in the 1880's, Delos and Hannah Arnold of Pasadena and South Pasadena orange growers Frank and Oraletta Stokes.

Betty graduated from South Pasadena High in 1939, attended UCLA and Cal Berkeley and was a member of Chi Omega sorority.  She married Walter Robison McKee, Marine Corps Captain during World War II, February 8, 1944.  Married 56 years, they lived in Balboa, Lafayette, Clear Lake, and San Diego, California; Seattle, Washington and Leisure World in Mesa, Arizona.  Betty worked as a secretary and bookkeeper most of her career.  Both she and her husband retired in 1975 and traveled the US and the world.  Following the death of her husband Walt, March 2000, Betty moved to Wesley Palms Retirement Community, (Pacific Beach) San Diego in 2003.  Many talents and interest filled Betty's active life.  Having a passion for music and history, she played the piano, harmonica, and guitar and completed her family genealogy.  She enjoyed golf, tennis, swimming, bridge, dominos, reading, movies, cross-word puzzles, and needlework.  She took Tai-chi and yoga classes and attended many cultural events.  She always remembered the importance of family and friends in her life and had wonderful childhood memories growing up on the beaches of Southern California, considering herself "a true California girl."

Betty is survived by her two daughters:  Gini Ostrom, Everett, Washington and Marg Brennan (Terry), King George, Virginia.  Five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and generations of nieces and nephews.  Best friends for 85 years, Nancy Sheldon Moore (SPHS '39) and the late Midge Jones Gamble (SPHS '39).  She was preceded in death by her sister, Winninette Noyes (SPHS '35).

San Diego Union-Tribune, December 1, 2011