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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | MARCH 2019 | 59 Friends we will miss Betty Strain Putnam, 88, passed on January 31, 2019, in the loving care of her three daughters, all of whom live in Sun Lakes. Betty was born on the Fourth of July, 1930, and grew up on a hilltop sheep farm in Langlois, Oregon. She was the last of five sisters and was her daddy's girl. She graduated from nearby Bandon High School and then moved to Los Angeles to work at a Sav-on Drug store. There she met her husband, Marvin, and began a 60 year marriage. They had five children: Connie Watkins (Charles), Marian Putnam, Jack Putnam (Valerie), Diane Hill, and Frances Jordan (Larry). In 1954, the Putnam's moved to Santa Fe Springs where Betty began her many years of public service. She was a Girl Scout leader and PTA officer for years. Then, as her youngest child entered school, Betty went back to school herself, graduating with a B.A. in English and an M.A. in education. She taught kindergarten in Norwalk, CA, for 20 years. Upon retirement, she served six years on the local Board of Education and 13 years on the Santa Fe Springs City Council. She served three terms as Mayor. In 2007, a constituent asked Mayor Putnam if the city would remove a wasps' nest from her house. The city couldn't, so Betty put a broom and a ladder in her pickup truck and headed out to meet the wasps. The wasps won. Falling off the ladder, Betty suffered a serious brain injury. If she survived, doctors gave her a year to live. Nine months later, she was re-elected to the mayor's office and served until 2010, when she moved with her daughters to Sun Lakes. She was a people person who loved to travel and garden. The family would like to thank our La Costa Drive neighbors for their wonderful friendships and regard for mom and the entire family. Albert Herbert Suydam On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, Alfred Herbert Suydam passed away at the age of 79 after a long battle of cancer. Al was born on July 13, 1940 in New York City to Harold Cooper Suydam and Jean Louise Damon. He was raised in New Jersey, which may account for his frequent use of colorful language, strange pronunciation of words, and enjoyment in arguing. Al was a standout athlete at Newton High School and earned a sports scholarship to Trinidad Junior College in Colorado. After two years, he transferred to Colorado State College at Greeley, where he played in the College World Series twice, and earned All-Conference Honors in 1962. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Al moved to California in 1964 and began teaching for the Los Angeles Unified School District. He worked as an educator for 32 years, first as a History teacher and coach at Granada Hills High School, then as principal of West Granada High, an alternative school. Al retired in 1996. Al spent much of his life engaging in his favorite pastimes: fishing, golfing, and baseball. He spent nearly every summer fishing in Colorado, returning to California with enough trout that he gave the surplus to friends. At Sun Lakes Country Club, Al served as President and Tournament Chairman of the Men's Golf Club, participating in numerous competitions. He was a baseball fan throughout his life and coached many teams after retiring from the sport. Although a longtime Dodgers fan, his wife, Toni, converted him to the Angels, and they often attended games together. Al was never shy about expressing his opinion — loudly — particularly in matters of politics. He was well-known among friends and family for taking a contrary position and arguing it, often to the exasperation of his loved ones. Al is survived by his wife, Toni; his son, Tim and daughter-in-law Greta; his daughter Nikki; and his four grandchildren: Nick, Alexa, Jack, and Tyler.

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