Beth Pendergrast, 101

Beth Johnson Pendergrast passed away peacefully on May 8 at Sunrise Senior Living, where she had been a resident since 2001. She was 101 years old. She lived her last days as she did her entire life, with grace, dignity, passion and a great sense of humor. In all of her 101 years, and up until the last moments of her life, Beth found a way to make an indelible mark on people. Her family and friends will always clearly remember her unflappably positive perspective on life, her appreciation for the simple pleasures, her passion for adventure, her immense charm, her wise counsel, her commitment to putting others before herself, and that witty sense of humor. For all of these wonderful qualities and many more, she was adored by her friends, her nieces and nephew, and their spouses, children and grandchildren. Beth’s company will be sorely missed, but her presence will always be felt, as she is simply unforgettable. Born in Los Angeles in 1907 to William Ruel Johnson and Ethel Hornsby Johnson, Beth was raised in Delta, Colorado. In 1929, upon graduating from the University of Colorado, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, she taught school in Buena Vista, Colorado. There she met her husband John, and they were married for 60 years before he died. After a brief stint in New York City, which Beth always loved, they moved to Grand Junction, Colorado, where she lived for 40 years. There she was active in numerous organizations including PEO (Chapter N, to which she belonged for 75 years), several bridge clubs and the Reviewers Club. Beth left Colorado to return to her native Los Angeles to be near her family. She made many friends among the residents at Sunrise and enjoyed attending the annual birthday party at the Woman’s Club honoring all the town’s 90- and 100-year-olds. She is survived by her nieces, Beth Lowe (husband Robert) of Pacific Palisades and Sara Jane Johnson of Orcas, Washington; nephew Bill Johnson (wife Sue) of Riverside; and numerous great- and great-great nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her wonderful caregivers, Videlia Campos, Alejandra Noble, Lola Orozco, Angelina Arichaga and Amelia Zentmeyer. Her memorial service will be private and inurnment will be in the Delta Cemetery in Colorado.