Marybeth Bowen Bontadelli

Marybeth Bowen Bontadelli passed away Wednesday, January 5 after a short battle with cancer. She was 92 years old.

She is followed in death by her beloved husband, Charlie Bontadelli, who passed away in 2020. She is survived by her three children - Kirkland Smidt, Carol Smidt Shaw and Diana Smidt Waage; 5 grandchildren - Karen Waage Morgante, Asha Roberts, Robyn Roberts, Jason Smidt and Morgan Smidt; sons-in-law Steve Shaw and Howard Waage; and nephew Steve Bontadelli.

Marybeth grew up on Elkhorn Dairy Farm in Watsonville with her parents, Bob Bowen and Bessie Kirkland Bowen. It was there that she developed her love of all things horses and there were few times in her life that she did NOT own one. She rode until she was over 80 years old. She was also very accomplished cook and did all of her own cooking … package meals rarely made it into her kitchen. She wrote a cookbook as a fundraiser for the Cabrillo Republican Women called "The Chef and the Farmer". Copies can still be found now and then around the county. Thankfully, she inspired all of her children to cook and compiled books of family favorite recipes as cherished Christmas gifts. She was also an excellent seamstress and made all of her own clothes, as well as her children's, including formal gowns. Needless to say, she was extremely talented, creative and willing to try new things.

Marybeth left home after graduation from Watsonville High School to attend U.C. Davis. There she met and married Stanley Smidt with whom she would have her three children. In 1967 she returned to Santa Cruz County and went to work with her father, Bob Bowen, at Elkhorn Dairy. There she loyally remained until Bob retired from the dairy business.

In 1975 she married Watsonville farmer Charlie Bontadelli. They had attended Watsonville High School together and rediscovered each other nearly 22 years after graduation. They were married for 45 years during which time they shared a love of travel and did so as often as a farming life allowed.

Marybeth will be greatly missed by her family. We are grateful to have had so very many years of her presence and for all the skills she taught us.

Published in The Pajaronian · January 21, 2022