Bette Jane Boatmun OBITUARY
Bette Jane Boatmun, an extraordinary woman of leadership, passed away peacefully at home on September 20, 2024. She will be long remembered as a local and state leader in the water industry, helping bring safer and healthier drinking water to our communities during her 46-years of dedicated commitment.
Bette was born in New Rochelle, New York, as were her parents, Otto and Elizabeth Heidig. A graduate of New Rochelle High School, she continued her education at Russell Sage College earning her BA in Education, and then received her Master's degree in Education from Holy Names College.
She and her late husband, Charles, met while working at a San Francisco elementary school. They married in 1962 and started a family. They moved to Concord in 1965, where she pursued her passion for community service, social interaction, art, and walking with her dogs.
She is survived by her two sons, Christopher and Antony, and by George Egan, her partner of more than 30 years.
Bette was as active in many community organizations including the Concord American Association of University Women, League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley, Sons of Italy, Kennedy King Scholarship Foundation, and Soroptimist International, to name a few.
But she will best be remembered as an activist in the world of water serving for over 46 years on the Board of Directors for Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) from 1974 to 2020 – she was Vice President from 1981-1989 and President from 1990-1992.
While working full time, pursuing a Masters degree, and raising two young sons, she was initially appointed to the CCWD board in 1974 from a pool of 19 candidates. She won her first election with over 60% approval and held that seat until retiring in 2020. During this time, she also served as district director for the YWCA.
While serving on the CCWD Board, it was her goal to provide an essential service to residents of Contra Costa County including: developing a Lifeline program to help people needing assistance in paying their bills; promoting a water education program for students; encouraging water use efficiency; modernizing water treatment facilities to the highest standards; and investing in significant infrastructure for water conveyance and storage, including Los Vaqueros Reservoir, which improved the quality of our water.
Her dedication to water efficiently was honored by the naming of the Bette Boatmun Conservation Garden at the CCWD offices on Concord Ave, which features drought tolerant and butterfly friendly plants
Beyond CCWD, Bette was a leader in the California water industry serving as the President of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) from 2002 – 2003, Chair of the Governing Board of East County Water Management Association, and the Contra Costa Special Districts Association.
Bette always focused on making difficult decisions in a transparent environment, resolving issues through clear and positive communication, representing those in the community who needed additional support, and developing a diverse workforce for the future.
Bette was a role model for women in the water industry and in local governance. When she took her position on CCWD's Board in 1974, she was one of only a few women in a leadership position. She inspired countless women through her stories, encouragement, honesty, and humor. She was a "respected force who made waves."
Bette was recognized in 2001 as the California State Assembly's "Woman of the Year", the 2013 Hollingsworth Award of Excellence from the California Special Districts Association, and ACWA's 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award. Although humbled in receiving these recognitions, they show the influence and impact she had on so many levels.
A celebration of life will take place on Thursday, October 10th at 2:00 pm at the Pleasant Hill Senior Center, 233 Gregory Lane, Pleasant Hill.
