Zetta Marian Richardson Bolton
March 11, 1926 - July 15, 2017

Zetta was born in Donovan, Illinois on March 11, 1926, not a "Texas Long Horn" like her brother and sister. Ruth Richardson (Zetta's mom) traveled to her parent's home in Donovan, Illinois for Zetta's birth.MyrtlePerrigo, a cousin and Christian Scientist, was there to help with the delivery.Then the trip to San Benito, Texas in a basket on the train with Ruth and Ralph (Zetta's brother) standing guard.Her Daddy, Guy Richardson, was waiting for them at the station.They lived on a farm about 2 miles out of town.

"We lived on a farm.....that is the best place to grow up - with farm animals and crops to learn about, and run free!"

About 1932 the family moved into town.Zetta attended the San Benito schools and graduated high in the class in 1943.Zetta then went to Brownsville Jr. College for 2 years and was in Phi Theta Kappa.She worked for a couple of years, but wanted to complete college so attended Texas College of Arts & Industries, in Kingsville, Texas (now a part of Texas A & M).Zetta was in Alpha Chi Honor Fraternity and graduated in 1949 with a BBA Degree.After college she went back to work in San Benito for a while, but soon moved to Fort Worth , Texas (where brother Ralph Richardson and his wife Ava lived) and worked at various jobs in the offices at a Buick Dealer, Furniture Store, General Motors Parts Division, and then at Amon Carter Airport in the main office for the airport.

In Fort Worth Texas she met Robert Young Bolton, a Captain in the Air Force, and they were married August 14, 1953.They lived on General Arnold Blvd near Carswell Air Force Base and later moved to Biggs Air Force Base in El Paso, Texas. After a flight back from Guam, the Air Force moved Robert and Zetta to Puerto Rico to live at Ramey Air Force Base for three years. They did a lot of sight-seeing in Puerto Rico and bought a sail boat made by a Puerto Rican."We left it without the frills like he had it - we just added some benches".

When Zetta met Robert Young Bolton and they were married, the adventure began. Robert was in the Air Force for 27 years, and we traveled extensively as a family, camping and boating. Zetta and Robert started their family in Puerto Rico, where surviving daughters Doris Ellen, and Joyce Evelyn were born. Susan Carol the youngest surviving daughter was born after the move to Florida, then Maine was next when Robert was a pilot in Strategic Air Command (SAC) in the Air Force. We traveled the entire East coast each summer visiting historical landmark sites and other highlights America had to offer.

She spent most of her years growing up on their farm in Texas, with her father, Guy, her mother, Ruth, brother Ralph, and sister, Patricia. We always heard stories of being on the farm and adventures in learning to shoot a gun with her father and dearly loved brother Ralph. Ralph has passed, but Zetta is survived by her dear sister Patricia, who lives in Colorado, where we all spent many years growing up later, learning to ski and hike the Colorado mountains.

Zetta was a "kitchen mechanic" and loved to fix things, preferred jeans to dresses, and looking for frogs over playing with dolls. I think that rubbed off on a few of us. When Doris, Joyce, and Susan got into Girl Scouts - this was the beginning of 15 years of being a Girl Scout Troop Leader in Brownies, Juniors, and Cadettes in Florida, Maine, and Colorado.The move to Loring Air Force Base, Maine (Limestone, Maine) was in 1965 and we all lived there for 4 years.Zetta, Robert, and the whole family traveled to see the historical sites all along the eastern coast and northeast.

Zetta had Christian Science Class Instruction in 1953,Robert had Christian Science Class Instruction in 1950, both with Inman H. Douglass, teacher and CS practitioner.Mr. Douglass was appointed to the Board of Directors in 1965 in Boston, Massachusetts, so Zetta attended her annual association in Boston during these years, and it was special to her to attend The Mother Church Annual Meetings.

We always had a close bond to Zetta's / Richardson family over the years, and got together in Illinois, Texas, Colorado, and California on many reunions, were we all had great times figuring out the various lake and mountain "toys".Always fun and joyous times getting together.

Zetta always encouraged us to go out into the world wherever our dreams would take us. She was always there for us, whether it was early in the morning or late at night. She would be downstairs working on the accounting for the family books, waiting for us to make it home safely.

Robert and Zetta bought a boat while we all lived in Florida and did a lot of deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, the Sound, and the Bay in Florida. We always had a boat - there were many stories of adventures on the boats!

After retirement the decision was made to move out to Colorado, where we continued to explore the West and discover our love for the mountains and "Rockies".

Our parents encouraged us to ski, hike, and live life to the fullest.Zetta continued to do this even after Robert's passing in September of 1998, and after selling the family residence in Longmont, Colorado she purchased an RV, and continued her love of travel.She was pretty happy driving to new locations and old, visiting family and loving the scenery. She loved road trips, and was always prepared for anything that would come up.

Zetta is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, and her sole granddaughter Rachel Savannah Luther. We were lucky enough to spend many great years in her home in Laguna Woods, with many trips for all of us to Disneyland, Sea World, Anza Borega, and the California coast. They were many joyous years.

We couldn't have asked for a more dedicated mother, and she always ended her goodbyes with "I love my girls".To sum up her life in a few words......

Unconditional Love, Generous, great sense of humor, a beautiful lady, and very Loving Mom.The best Mom ever!

She loved the trees 🌲.
Mom loved to visit the Redwoods State Parks and Richardson Grove State Park, in Northern California.
Mom loved to plan and prepare for trips, and I am sure she is planning her next trip now.
May it be a smooth and peaceful journey.

Psalms 139: 7, 9 - 10
Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me."

We plan to celebrate her life by remembering what joy and unlimited possibilities she opened up for us in her thinking that "all things are possible".

Tentative date for the memorial service is October 2017. Dates, time, and places to eat and stay will be announced.

For any donations we are asking to be donated to the Save the Redwoods League or to the Ocean 🌊 Conservancy. ❤️

Much Love to all,
Doris, Joyce, and Susan

III John 1: 4

" I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in Truth. "

No death is theirs who visibly
Have left us, It is only we,
Would make the parting real, would lay,
Them in some sepulcher - not they,
Who make to Life's bright victory.

Their progress toward reality
Is unstayed, and perhaps more free
Now they have seen, by clear day,
No death is theirs.

What their concerns, pursuits, may be
We know not. But eternally
God in man's Life, and none can stray
Beyond His love and care. Oh, may
We trust in Life - and, trusting, see
No death is theirs.

-James M. Speers