MOURNING BEA: The sudden death of Bea Schmidt, 82, on Dec. 2 went unremarked publicly, but those who were close to her wanted an acknowledgment of the impact she had made on their lives. Sue Boyce, for one, had been a friend since childhood, when their mothers were scout leaders.
Sue's family and the Schmidt family were close friends, first in San Mateo and later in Saratoga, and Sue and the Schmidt children grew up together. Sue's appraisal of Bea Schmidt is as an "involved, vivacious and charismatic" woman.
Schmidt was a registered nurse and worked for Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara during the 1970s. When she and her husband, Wally, lived in San Francisco, she worked both as a nurse and as a fashion show emcee for I. Magnin.
The Schmidts moved to Saratoga in 1956, where Wally, a pharmacist, ran the late, lamented Village Pharmacy. Bea was active in the Montalvo Service Group and served as its president. She was also a member of the Foothill Club for 25 years. In San Mateo in the 1950s, Bea was a Girl Scout leader and camp director.
She remains a vivid memory for Sue Boyce, who says, "Her death was a shock to all who knew her. Her many friends mourn her passing and want to say goodbye to a spirited lady who made an impression on everyone she met!"
TSUNAMI RELIEF: Ron and Marlene Duffin presented two checks for tsunami relief to Lions' chapters in India and Sri Lanka during their recent visit to those countries. One check for $1,000 went to the Capitol Chennai Lions Club from members of the local AAUW and Saratoga Lions Club.
The money was designated for tsunami-orphaned children at a handicapped children's school. In return, the Lions bedecked the Duffins with sandalwood garlands and an exquisite shawl. Fellow Lion Selvi Rajamanickam, who has homes in both Saratoga and Chennai, drove the visitors by the Bay of Bengal coast, which had been battered by the tsunami.
The government, aided by donations, has already provided fishermen with new boats and living shelters. Another area near the coast of Malhabalipuam displayed rows of blue plastic tents, housing displaced people.
Problems arose because both landowners and squatters want compensation. The landowners want redress for damages and the squatters for being uprooted. Another serious, long-term problem is how to assist rice farmers in areas where salt water has infiltrated clean crop water. It will take years to flush out the system in this large agricultural area.
In Sri Lanka, three Leos (young Lions) were all smiles when they found the Duffins in the airport amid the thousands of Muslims greeting family members returning from the Haj. One Leo chapter pledged itself to rebuild a school library demolished by the flood.
One of the Leos is the headmaster of Mahanama College, which is collecting books to replace those lost. The check for $1,700 from the AAUW and Saratoga Lions was gratefully accepted, and the Saratoga Lions hope to send enough English primer books to fill a library shelf.
"The History and Culture of South India" was the title of the Elderhostel the Duffins attended when they first arrived in India. It focused on early 5th-century empires with its ruins of palaces and temples. Because spices were plentiful, the area prospered through trade with Europe and Asia.
The transformation of the cities and the emergence of democracy during the colonial period marked changes from the past, but still the culture maintains its own unique ways of doing things, reports Marlene.
HEARTS OF GOLD: Lon and Peg Normandin of Monte Sereno were recently honored by Sacred Heart Community Service at its annual Hearts of Gold reception to recognize major donors. The couple won the individual award for 2005. The Normandins own the Normandin Chrysler, Jeep, Plymouth dealership in San Jose.
The duo are very civically active and have won many awards through the years. About the SHCS, Lon says, "They're a wonderful organization. We're glad to help." He adds that many schools are now involved, with students, such as his grandchildren, volunteering their time at the center.
"They do so much good I'm glad to see our children and grandchildren giving back. It gives them a better idea of another side of life." SHCS serves 1,5002,000 people daily at no charge to help the dispossessed become self-sufficient.
KATHRYN'S OAKS: Some 17 oak trees have been purchased in Kathryn Holt's name by her many friends to commemorate the longtime teacher who died late last year. A native Californian, Kathryn was a beloved friend to many. She lived on Oak Street and particularly loved the native oaks of California, reports friend Jill Hunter.
AT SIGNING: Don Wolfe was present in the East Room when President George W. Bush signed the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 last month. Wolfe is president of Silicon Valley Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse.
Got a tip for Saratoga Sampler? Send email to
maryanncook@earthlink.net.
By Mary Ann Cook