By Patricia Hoffman, SMRR Co-Chair
Betty Mueller was a mainstay of our progressive Santa Monica Community for more than 30 years. She was an activist with the Santa Monica Chapter of the Campaign for Economic Democracy, Santa Monicans for Renters’ Rights, the Santa Monica Democratic Club, the League of Women Voters and the SMC Emeritus College.
Photo by Martin Goldstein
Betty was born in Chicago Illinois in 1925. She was active in the local USO and was inspired to become a nurse. She worked for the Veterans’ Administration, first in Chicago and then in Brentwood CA where she was a supervising and training nurse.
After retiring from the VA, Betty continued her activism as an indefatigable volunteer, in Tom Hayden’s office, on the SMRR campaigns and hotline, as a Wilmont Board member and as a Getty Museum Docent to name a few.
Betty served on the City of Santa Monica’s Personnel Board and was a member of the Santa Monica Housing Commission at the time of her death. She was twice elected to our Rent Control Board and was named the Democratic Woman of the year for the 41st Assembly District.
Betty was a watercolor artist and an avid photographer who documented Santa Monica life. She was a refined consumer of theater and music.
Betty had no family in California but her friends were as close as family. She was fiercely loyal and deeply loved. She was part of a band of neighbors who looked after and cared for one another.
Betty was surrounded by her friends and neighbors until the end of her life. She was a special woman who will be remembered with love.