Betsey Stewart Retires After 62 Years of Activities Leadership

Betsey Gooch Stewart
Apr 8
2 min read

Updated: Apr 11

New Beginnings & Celebrating Life’s Beautiful Ride

Betsey Stewart is a retired Activities Director and volunteer with Southern California Association of Activities Professionals

Reflecting An Incredible Life's Journey

As I reflect on my incredible journey, it's hard to believe that my career as an Activities Director began all the way back in 1963. Fresh out of high school, at just seventeen years old, I stepped into the role at Saint George’s Episcopal Camp in Orkney Springs, Virginia. Rev. James Lincoln took a chance on me, and I worked hard, heart and soul, to bring joy and connection to the campers through creative and fun summer activities.

From there, my passion for leading activities continued as a student at Indiana State University and later on staff at Purdue University, Calumet Campus, as Activities Director. I moved to California in 1973. I returned to AD in Santa Barbara, CA, to Aegis Living in Ventura, California, where I directed activities for two Memory Care units in 2004. For the next 20 years, I was fortunate enough to work with outstanding individuals in various facilities across Southern California, including Ventura and Ojai. I became a proud member of the Southern California Association of Activities Professionals and dedicated myself to creating meaningful experiences for those I served, especially those in their Golden Years.

After 62 years of leading activities, I retired in January 2025, just shy of my 80th birthday. My heart will always be with the elderly, particularly those 100+ years old, battling dementia and Alzheimer's. They will forever have my deepest love celebrating every life!

Now, my husband, John, and I are embracing our Golden Years together in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. It’s a new chapter, one filled with love, reflection, and excitement for whatever comes next. Life has been a beautiful journey, and I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to serve so many incredible people along the way.

Here’s to new beginnings, to all the lives touched, and to celebrating each precious moment of this amazing ride we call life!

Betsey Stewart at the Annual Tennis Tournament in Ojai, CA

Celebrating My 80th Birthday In 2025

(Left to Right): Betsey loves our country and her husband John, who is a Marine USMCR. Betsey will celebrate her 80th Birthday in 2025. Betsey with Marie, 107 years old, the late resident of Los Robles in Ojai, CA.