Ayres, Sharon, 78, passed away on July 15th in her Kennewick, WA home of 15 years one short year after losing her husband and soulmate, David, to cancer. Sharon grew up in Southern California, and as the oldest of five children, assumed responsibilities at a young age, preparing her for an early start on adulthood. At the age of 18, right after graduating from Huntington Beach High School, she married John Hughes and had her first son, Eric. A couple of years later, she divorced and was remarried to Richard Ayres, and together they raised Eric, along with Richard's two children from his previous marriage (Cathy and Rich) and had a son of their own, Bruce, in 1964. In 1977, at the age of 36 and with a house full of teenagers, Sharon pursued -- and 2 years later completed -- a nursing degree from Golden West College. In her forties, Sharon started an entirely new and rich chapter in life, marrying her longtime friend, David Bergland (1984), earning a Bachelor's in History from UC Irvine (1988), and topping off her lifelong commitment to the Libertarian Party by managing their 1996 presidential campaign. In 2004, after living her entire life in California, Sharon moved to the Tri-Cities, with David, to be closer to their soon-to-be-born grandson. Sharon enjoyed afternoons with her family at the Meadow Springs pool, walks along the Columbia river, tasting at the local wineries, and probably most of all, her 6 years with the Tri-Cities Tappers, with whom she performed dozens of times. Sharon is survived by her two sons, whom she often described as her "best work." She is also survived by two sisters (Rory and Jamie), two brothers (Duncan and Doug), five stepchildren (Cathy, Rich, Tani, Jona, and Brenda) and two grandchildren (Aidan and Logan). Later this year, family and friends will fulfill Sharon's and David's wishes by scattering their ashes together off the shores of Huntington Beach. In the meantime, please join us in sharing memories of Sharon by visiting Legacy.com

 

Green, William ("Jack"). 19, Our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, friend and teammate William ("Jack") Green of Huntington Beach, CA tragically ended his life at the age of 19 on September 5th in Walnut Creek, CA. His rapid decline in mental health was caused by many factors, central to which was the Covid19 quarantine. Jack's family and friends struggle to understand the delusion and despair which lead to this when his life held such promise. Jack Green was a handsome, charismatic and loving young man with an engaging demeanor and an ever-present smile that could light up a room. Compassionate, caring and loyal to his many friends and family, Jack's passing has affected people in several communities where he was well-regarded. He was born in Newport Beach and lived in Huntington Beach until his father's work took the family to Napa. It was in Napa that Jack discovered his first true love, water polo. He played center and excelled, becoming a national class athlete in junior high school. Jack's parents moved the family to Huntington Beach in 2015 in order to give him a shot at his father's life experience in athletics. At Huntington Beach High School, he made varsity his sophomore year, playing with a group of athletes among the best in the country who narrowly missed becoming the top-ranked high school water program in the nation in 2016. His tenacity and endurance under a grueling training regimen earned him a starting position and recruitment to the University of California, Irvine water polo program. Jack was in the middle of his freshman year at UCI when the quarantine was declared. He was passionate about exercise and weightlifting, working hard during the pandemic to maintain his fitness level and physique acquired from years of water polo. A true athlete, Jack was always challenging himself. Jack loved his family's traditions, particularly their historical cabin at Fallen Leaf Lake in Lake Tahoe which his great grandfather built in 1945. He often spoke of fond memories made there, and a future where he would inherit the cabin and pass his family's tradition to a fifth generation. Jack Green is survived by his parents, William Sr. ("Bill") and Julie Green, sister, Victoria ("Tori") and half-brothers, Joshua Haynes of Huntington Beach and James Shortt (wife Melony) of Humboldt County. Jack is also survived by grandparents, Pat and Larry Mertens of Huntington Beach, and Barbara Green of Truckee. Also, his aunts, Sarah Green of Truckee and Carolyn Westgaard of Palo Alto, and Erik Van Pelt, his uncle, of Arlington, Texas. Jack is also survived by his girlfriend of almost two years, Madisynn Habibi of Huntington Beach. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that donations be made in the name of Jack Green to the Youth Outreach Program at St. James Episcopal Church at 3209 Via Lido in Newport Beach, CA 92663. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, September 19 also at St. James Episcopal Church. For those who can't attend, the service will be live-streamed at the church's website stjamesnewport.org. A Huntington Beach traditional paddle-out will be held Thursday, September 17 at 5:30 PM at Tower 3.

 

Harris, Elizabeth "Betti," 76, On Monday, August 24, 2020, , loving wife and mother of four children, after a long struggle with cancer passed away peacefully in her home in Huntington Beach, CA. Betti was born on June 14, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN to Austin and Harriet Wilson. At an early age, her family moved to Seattle, Washington before putting down their roots in Lakewood, CA, where she attended Lakewood High School and Long Beach City College. On June 21, 1963, she married Joseph "Joe" Harris, the love of her life and raised three sons, Warren, Austin and Andrew and a daughter, Carrie in Huntington Beach, CA. Betti had a passion and zest for life! An expert painter she spent many hours mastering her watercolor skills by taking lessons from renowned artists such as Robert Wood and Frank Francese to master her craft. She had a passion for her grandchildren and combined her favorite hobbies to create extraordinary art. Her paintings of her various grandchildren along with her landscapes and sceneries were much admired not only by friends and family, but also by all who frequented the Shriner's Hospital for Children in downtown Los Angeles where her murals are still prominently displayed throughout the children's wing. An avid music lover she sang in numerous chorales throughout southern California. Never one to shy away from competition she also loved to play cards, cribbage and bridge eventually earning enough points to distinguish her as a life master in bridge. Betti's quick wit, her infectious smile, and her kind and compassionate spirit will be truly missed. Betti is preceded in death by her father, Austin Wilson, mother, Harriet Wilson, and sister Kathryn Greenhoot. In addition to her husband Joe, her sister Anne Lane (Ted), children Warren Harris, Carrie Harriman (Tim), Austin Harris (Kim), Andrew Harris (Emilia) and ten grandchildren survive her. Because of COVID-19 a private funeral service attended by her immediate family and invited guests will be held on Monday, September 14th 2020 at Forest Lawn, Cypress at 1 o'clock pm. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to their favorite charity in her name.

 

Siefken, Sharon Lea, 73, With great sadness the family of Sharon Lea Siefken (nee Newton) announce she passed away with family by her side on Sept. 3, 2020. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons Robert (Nancy) and David and numerous relatives and friends. She was pre-deceased by Gary, her husband of 37 years. Born in Fort Worth, TX she moved to So. Cal. in her early teens raising her family in Downey and later in Huntington Beach. She was a successful, self-employed tax preparer for 30+ years before retiring in Hesperia in 2015. At Sharon's request, no service will be held. Memorial donations may be made in Sharon's name to The Lily Sanctuary (thelilysanctuary.org) or your favorite local animal rescue organization.

The Huntington Beach News does not charge to run obituaries, but they may be edited to conform to our policies and are of current or former residents of Huntington Beach, have a connection to Huntington Beach or services that are held in Huntington Beach.

 

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