A long time resident and supporter of the HBHS recently died. Betty Evans was very prominent in Hermosa — an Easy Reader staff writer for nearly three decades, Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 1981 for community activities including work with the Hermosa Garden Club and the non-profit Friends of the Library, and author of nearly a dozen cookbooks. The following is an article from a long time friend of hers: Joanne Purpus.

"Betty and I never knew each other on Valley Park Avenue as we had moved before the Evans bought their place, but we met when she asked if I would be interested in being a docent at the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. I joined. She and I and Judy Astone went there every Thursday and became fast friend

While I was teaching and volunteering at the Palos Verdes Art Museum, I asked Betty if she would start a cooking class there. It was a great success and prompted an expansion of her cooking classes throughout the South Bay.

My son, Timothy, assisted in many of these — he loved Betty and got to eat the results with the class.

Betty's classes were expanded to catered luncheons at the museum. We keyed the luncheons to the type of speaker. Betty did the menu, I was in charge of costumes for the waiters and decorations and Jeanne Evans, Betty's daughter, served.

At one luncheon the small kitchen oven wasn't big enough so Betty commandeered the pottery kiln!

Betty also held classes in her home on Valley Park and at the South Bay Adult School. She would blend her recipes into tales of her many travels. Betty got into all of the great kitchens wherever she traveled with her husband, Gordon, who sketched the local scenery. Many fine cookbooks resulted incorporating Gordon's sketches.

All of this started with her wonderful, casual dinner parties and luncheons under the grape arbor in her back yard. There she entertained the rich and not so rich and the famous and not so famous with her abundant warmth and charm…and great food! I shall miss her terribly."

Betty Evans Memorial Bench

A very handsome bench has been installed just outside the museum. It was donated by the Evans family in honor of Betty Evans. Betty participated in the founding of the original HBHS Museum, and was very active and well loved in the community. The plaque on the bench reads: "Betty Evans, 5 August 1927 – 12 December 2005, She loved Hermosa Beach". She did indeed love Hermosa Beach, and Hermosa Beach loved her.