Terry Otte 1942-2024 Terry Otte, a longtime resident of Leisure World, passed away peacefully on Nov. 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family Born on Jan. 20, 1942 in Omaha, Nebraska, Terry was the oldest son of two boys born to Jack Gordon and Mabel Harriet. Terry served his country with honor in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. In 1997, Terry and his beloved wife of 58 years, Rosie, moved to Leisure World, where Terry’s love for music found a vibrant community. Together with his friend, Rod Anderson, he formed the band Terry Otte and Abilene in 2002. For more than two decades his music brought joytopackedaudiences at Clubhouse 2. His warm presence and musical talents became a cherished part of the Leisure World community. Terry is survived by his wife, Rosemarie, his children, John Michael Otte and Maria Aproda, his grandchildren, Mark Jr., Elton, John, Valentina, Daniel, David, Alan and Daniel, and nine great-grandchildren and many other extended family members and friends. Terry’s legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched with his music, his kindness and his unwavering dedication to his family and friends. Though his guitar may fall silent, the melody of his life will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved him. A celebration of Terry’s life will be held on Jan. 21, 2025, at Clubhouse 2 at 1 p.m. Friends and family are invited to attend and share memories. He willbe deeply missed and forever remembered.

Leah Lambros 1932-2024 With a heavy heart we announce the passing of Leah Lambros on Nov. 13, 2024, at the age of 92. Leah was an active resident of Mutual 5 for over a dozen years, enjoying new friends and old, family, books on tape, books not on tape, cooking, wine and champagne, Yahtzee, and bocce ball. Her work years included secretarial positions at State Farm Insurance and then concluded after many years working at Texaco in Wilmington. Leah was “forever young” and very independent. She had style! She was “feisty” but made strong friendships easily and often with the most interesting and loving people. She had immense curiosity, good humor, and an unnatural strength of character and spirit. The wisdom p r o v i d e d through the Theosophical Society and related speakers, books, and other materials helped shape Leah’s understanding of life. Even earlier this year she could be found on a Zoom call taking in conversations related to such matters. She also cherished her time volunteering each summer at Far Horizons Camp in the Sequoia National Forest. Leah was also very generous towards family and friends, and on several occasions opened her home for months on end to those in her circle who needed a place to stay, and maybe also needed her thoughtful and steady guidance. Leah made her world a better place. She loved us. We loved her. Leah raised her children as a single mother, mostly in Long Beach, California in the “Ranchos” neighborhood, and for a period of time before that near the South Shores area in San Pedro. She is survived by her son Michael Lambros and his wife Caren, her son Paul Lambros and Sheli, her daughter Julie Brebes and her husband Steve, along with her grandchildren Denise, Danny, and Lauren, and her five great-grandchildren.

••• George Elmo Blackburn 1932-2024 George Elmo Blackburn, born Feb. 15, 1932 in Mancos, Colorado, died on Nov. 23, 2024. He moved from Utah to Long Beach, California, in 1955. His work career was first McDonnell Douglas aircraft then for the city of Long Beach as a tree trimmer and ending as a heavy equipment operator on the beaches, retiring after 32 years of service. His beloved wife, LaRae, passed in 1993. They lived 27 years on Belice across from El Dorado Park in Long Beach where he was king of the basketball court (if you asked him). He played up until his mid 70’s. George moved to Leisure World in 2008 to Mutual 2. He loved the outdoors, listening to the rain, camping, Hawaii, family activities, western music and sports. Dad had the best smile and didn’t know a stranger. Survived by sons Curtis and Kelvin, their wives Dori and Anna, granddaughter Corinne, grandson Shane, great grandsons Silas, Logan and Chase. A memorial service will be in Tooele, Utah, and burial will be held in Grantsville, Utah, on Dec. 7, 2024.

Betty DeKlyne Smith 1929 - 2024 Teacher, writer, traveler, philanthropist, friend. A long-time resident of Leisure World, Betty passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, after a long decline in health. She was 18 days short of her 95th birthday. She will be missed. Betty was the youngest of three daughters born to Agnes and Arthur DeKlyne. She was a native of Long Beach, and attended Poly High School, Long Beach City College, and UCLA. She was a graduate of the first class of California State University Long Beach (1949). Married to Jack S. Martin, a classmate, they made their home in Lakewood, California, where they raised two daughters. With a degree in education, Betty taught primary school in the Long Beach Unified School District, mainly in the Lakewood area. She also taught adult education classes at LBCC. Her teaching career evolved into writing. Inspired by her grandson Alex, she wrote a children’s book, “The Adventures of Alexandr and His Ragtime Gran.” Poetry and short stories were also written for family and friends. After her daughters graduated, she started a clothing store in Belmont Shore, designing and manufacturing women’s clothing. Always interested in fashion, she loved and wore bright, exotic clothing, often with unusual hats and interesting earrings. For a short time, she sold commercial real estate while living in Naples. After her move to Leisure World, she became an estate sale agent, and wrote her second book, “Have Sale—Will Travel: Secrets of an Estate $ale Agent.” Betty was always interested in people, and would talk with anyone willing to share their story. She also was fascinated by other cultures, so travel became a big part of Betty’s life. When her daughters were young, the family spent summers camping in the western US at national parks and beaches, and visited Southern California gardens and museums. Later in life, she visited many countries in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, Ireland (home of her mother’s family), and parts of the Eastern U.S. In the early 2000s, Betty wrote many articles for the Leisure World News about her trips. These always had a newsy, interesting personal spin on who she met and what she saw. Betty was passionate about philanthropy, and made large donations over many years to local free clinics, the Seal Beach Women’s Club, the Leisure World Library, and supported a children’s home in North Carolina. She is survived by daughters Alison, of western North Carolina, and Leslie, a resident of Leisure World, as well as her grandson Alexandr. After the deaths of both of her sisters, Betty became the matriarch of her many nieces, nephews and their children, and was affectionately known as “Aunt B.” She loved her family and friends, and her life in Leisure World.