Elizabeth Ellen (Bethe) Stiller
January 15, 1945 - January 14, 2021
Elizabeth Ellen (Bethe) Stiller, a longtime resident of Aptos, CA passed away January 14, 2021. She was seventy-five years old. Born in Oakland, CA, her family moved to many different parts of the country, eventually settling in Tucson, AZ where she attended Salpointe High School. Upon graduating she worked in the front office of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic High School where she fell in love with a handsome young physical education teacher named Mike Stiller. They were married February 27, 1965 at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church.
Bethe had many occupations throughout her married life including school nurse’s aide, bank teller, real estate agent, and eventually ending her working career as a branch manager at Coast Savings Bank in Aptos, CA. In her retirement she volunteered for many organizations including CASA and the SPCA.
She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Margaret Rutter, husband of 49 years, Mike Stiller and her sister, Stephanie Sodeman.
Bethe leaves behind her son, Eugene Stephen Stiller and his wife, Kim, daughter Janet Chase, her husband Dave, and her two grandsons, Willem and Leo. She also leaves behind siblings Veronica Buckley (spouse Jim), Mark Rutter (spouse Sandy), George Rutter (spouse Betty), Chris Rutter, Steve Rutter (spouse Darla), Mary Katherine Centino, and Joe Rutter, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Bethe was a lover of animals her entire life, especially dogs. When she retired, she volunteered enthusiastically at the Santa Cruz SPCA where she helped dogs find their forever homes. She did this by donating her time in the local facility as well as by walking dogs at the local beach.
She succeeded in being a “foster failure” as one of her final acts of animal kindness, when she brought Millie (a silky terrier) home for the night and never returned her. After moving to Reno, she gave her patronage to CRCS (Canine Rehab and Cat Sanctuary) as well as The Eddy House for homeless youths.
Bethe passed away on January 14th, 2021, in Reno, Nevada, where she had been living, close to her daughter for the past 6 years. The Stiller and Chase families would like to extend a special heartfelt thank you to Linda Engle, of Reno, for lovingly caring for our mom on a daily basis, in the final years of her life. You are deeply appreciated and loved because our mom was precious to us.
No memorial is planned at this time, although donations to any of the above organizations would surely have made Bethe happy.