THARP, CHARLOTTE ELIZABETH "BETTY" Charlotte Elizabeth "Betty" Steeger Tharp passed away on December 30, 2011, at home with her family by her side. Betty was born on July 8, 1923 and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. She was the beloved wife of retired Superior Court Judge Ross G. Tharp, with whom she celebrated sixty years of marriage in July, 2011. After serving as a U.S. Marine Corps Legal Officer (JAG), Ross and Betty selected San Diego as their home in 1955, residing in Point Loma for over fifty years. Betty became active in civic and charitable organizations. She was a member of the San Diego County Bar Auxiliary, serving as President in 1962. Betty was a founding member of the Star of India Auxiliary. She served as a director and officer of the Scripps-Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and the Social Service Auxiliary. Betty participated in the fundraising efforts for the restoration of the San Diego Mission and was also a member of the University of San Diego Auxiliary, the American Heart Association, Globe Guilders and Meals on Wheels. The Salvation Army honored Betty as a "Woman of Dedication" and she was selected as a Lady of the Holy Sepulchre, a Catholic honor society. The Women's International Center presented Ross and Betty Tharp the "Living Legacy Award". The American Heart Association named Betty and her family as honorees of the "Go For Red" campaign. She loved her native South Carolina and held membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Ruth Mulvaney, a longtime friend, remembers Betty as a true Southern lady. "She was a gracious hostess whose smile and personality would light up a room. She was engaging and made you feel so welcome. When you were with her, you felt you were someone special. Betty will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her throughout the years." Betty loved to entertain, hosting numerous events, including an annual Oktoberfest party held at the Tharp home. Betty Tharp is survived by her husband, Ross, her daughters, Robin Nordhoff, Deborah Allen and Betsy Dingman and sons, Robert Tharp and James Messer, ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sarah. Among her extended family are Lupe Prado and her children, Alfredo and Rocio, as well as Guillermina Villa, all of whom worked with her for many years and most recently provided her with loving care and comfort. A viewing will be held at Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary on Tuesday, January 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. located at 3655 Fifth Avenue, San Diego. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Charles Borremeo Catholic Church, 2802 Cadiz Street, in Point Loma, on Wednesday, January 4th at 11:00 a.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Scripps-Mercy Foundation, Meals on Wheels or San Diego Hospice.
Arrangements under the direction of Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, San Diego, CA.
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