Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 05:49:54 :
Marin Independent Journal
Wednesday, September 22, 1999
Section B, page 1
Novato activist Betty Machado dies at 74
Betty Jeanne Machado, a fixture at Novato City Council meetings and a perennial candidate for the city fire district board, died at Kaiser hospital in San Rafael following a heart attack yesterday. She was 74.
Mrs. Machado was a native of Oakland and grew up in Orland, Glenn County, before moving to Sausalito in 1945. She then moved to Novato with her husband Jack in 1958. She attended Chico State University and Indian Valley College in Novato.
Mrs. Machado began running for the Novato Fire District board in 1979 but never was elected. A current candidate for the fire board, her name will appear on November’s ballot.
“She was here every two years to file papers,” said Assistant County Clerk, Registrar of Voters, Madelyn DeJusto of Novato. “She was really a nice lady, really into politics, who was very conscientious of how the council spent money.”
Former Mayor Ernie Gray said you could always count on Machado to scrutinize city business. “I think she did play an important part in city government in that she was always thee to keep you on your toes,” Gray said. “She could be a thorn in your side at times, but it’s important thee are people out there who have the interest, the background and the concern she did.”
She was more successful in her quest for seats on the school board and park and recreation commission. Mrs. Machado served on each panel.
She was described as one of Novato’s founders by her close friend, Gail Meyers, another political activist. “When Novato was founded she was part of the group that put it together,” Meyers said.
Shirley Graves, who with Machado co-hosted Novato’s Public Advocate cable program, called her a “colorful Marin figure,” and said tonight’s show will go on in her memory. “That was her baby,” Graves noted.
She had worked as a kitchen supervisor for the Dominican Convent in San Rafael. She was a member of Our Lady of Loretto Church, where she volunteered in the Helping Hands program.
Mrs. Machado also served on the county Economic Development Commission and was a member of the Novato Federated Women’s Club, Marin Advocates for Political Action, the Novato Senior Citizen’s Club, the Marin County Historical Society and was a charter member of the Marin General Hospital Pink Ladies Auxiliary.
She is survived by her daughter, Laura Machado of Novato; son, Paul Machado of Petaluma; two brothers, Leroy Madsen of Texas and Harold Madsen of Orland; a sister, Shirley Reisinger of Sacramento; three grandsons, John Engler and Randy Engler, both of Novato, and Jack Machado of Petaluma; two granddaughters, Ashley Engler of Novato and Rachael Machado of Petaluma.
She was married to Jack Machado 53 years. He died in July 1998.
Friends and family are invited to the memorial service which will be held Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 1806 Novato Blvd, Novato. Private internment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, San Rafael.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or the Diabetes Foundation.
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