In Memoriam Beth Montes (1965-2007)

In Memoriam Beth Montes (1965-2007)
November/December 2017

Beth Montes and Zeke, with David Swarens at PIP (People In Preservation awards), 2004 at Petco Park; reopening of the renovated Verna House, 2004; Annual Membership meeting and elections, 2007; Beth accepting the 2007 PIP Leadership Award at the NTC North Chapel. Photos by Sandé Lollis

It's been ten years since we lost Beth Montes, beloved SOHO President, to pancreatic cancer on October 29, 2007. Many of us who knew and worked with her miss her intelligence, kind heart, and passion for preservation every day. As SOHO's advocate-in-chief, Beth was a fearless defender of threatened historic resources and an effective communicator, whether with a neighbor or a City Council member.

Beth ran her own historic research business for designations and lived with her husband, Zeke and daughter Anna, in a South Park historic landmark. That 1910 house designed by William Sterling Hebbard led Beth to get involved with SOHO. When she died, she was set to begin her fourth term as President.

"When Beth first passed, I recommended that we complete the South Park Historic District in her honor and in her memory, as a legacy project," SOHO board member David Swarens wrote. At the two recent City of San Diego Historical Resources Board meetings evaluating the proposed district, he said, "I acknowledged Beth and her engagement with the effort…

"The South Park Historic District was adopted unanimously on October 26. We finally did it, remembering Beth."

Read more about Beth, and read about how to contribute to the Beth Montes Memorial Internship & Outreach Fund.

Read our story on the South Park Historic District designation

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