Elias Shehade Botto

Elias Shehadeh Botto was born on Oct 6, 1932 in Jerusalem, Palestine and was one of 8 siblings born to Madeline and Shehadeh Botto. Due to the 1948 war, he and his family became refugees from Jerusalem, eventually moving to Bethlehem where he attended Terra Santa High School for boys. At 17, Elias moved to Lebanon to study at Beirut University and wanted to further his education in search of a new life for himself and his family by migrating to the United States.

In 1954, Elias boarded a cargo ship from Lebanon and after 40 days, arrived at Ellis Island in New York City. From NY he took a greyhound bus across the country to San Francisco, where his childhood friend was living & studying.

Elias immediately found work; first with the Dudums at their local market, then as a banker at BofA, and finally as a lab technician supervisor at UCSF Hospital, where he was able to put his chemistry degree to use. He then founded his own garment business, along with his brother-in-law Rodolfo, and named it Grand-B. He eventually built a very successful business until his retirement in 2001.

Since 1954, it was Elias’ dream to reunite his whole family in the United States. And over the course of 15 years, he successfully facilitated & sponsored each and every family member to relocate to the United States. This was his crowning achievement and he was regarded as a “second father” to all his siblings.

Elias was a very generous man of heart who always looked for ways to help others who were less fortunate. He never forgot the struggles that he and his family had endured, as well as the help he received throughout his life; he paid back those gifts many times over to everyone he touched. He truly lived by the belief “the more you have, the more you should give”.

He enjoyed family gatherings, had a great sense of humor, felt connected to all living beings, fully embraced the Jewish-Palestinian dialogue group, loved music, enjoyed playing bariba, and going to the casino.

Elias is survived by his wife, Fanny Botto. His children: Greg Botto (Lisa Botto), Eileen Hastie (Bruce Hastie), and Mark Botto. He has 10 grandchildren: Gregory Botto (Marisa Koller-Botto), Andrew Botto, Katrina Botto, Anthony Botto, Gabriela Botto, Jordan Hastie, Kelsie Hastie, Jake Hastie, Luke Hastie, and Sam Hastie.

He is also survived by his siblings Mary Saad (Fouad Saad), Therese Zoumot (Yousef Zoumot), Diana Jezycki (Andrew Jezycki), Helen Brady (Frank Brady), and Nora D’Acquisto (Bob D’Acquisto).

Elias will be joining in Heaven his brother Jonny Botto, his sister Yolanda Kouncar, and his parents Madeline & Shahade Botto, among countless other relatives and friends.

Services will be held on Monday, August 22, 2022 at 2pm at St. Gregory’s Church (2715 Hacienda Street, San Mateo, CA 94403), with the Celebration of Life immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Bethlehem University “Madeleine & Shehade Botto Scholarship Fund” in Memory of their son, Elias Botto. You can donate online at https://www.bufusa. org/donate/

Hedwiga Anne Byczkowski (Anne) passed away peacefully in her home in San Francisco on August 3rd, 2022. She was born a fourth-generation San Franciscan on March 12, 1957. After graduating from Hamlin School, Anne received her undergraduate degree from Vassar College and her M.S. in Psychology from San Jose State University. Anne spent 40 years as a marriage and family therapist trained in dealing with very complex issues, and worked both in private practice and in a variety of public settings. She retired this year from the San Mateo Child Welfare Mental Health team. Anne was well-versed not only in talk therapy, but in a variety of techniques including mindfulness, CBT, TFT, EFT, Art Therapy, and Play Therapy. She also served as an expert witness on a number of family therapy cases. She was passionate about her craft and felt being a therapist was a profound calling. She was an empathetic and warm therapist, committed to working patiently and collaboratively to build trusting, warm relationships with each of her clients. Anne devoted her free time to a variety of creative endeavors, including jewelry-making, painting and drawing, and writing. She enjoyed travelling with family and friends.

She is survived by her loving brother Peter Byczkowski of Carmel, CA, his wife Beth Garnett, and her niece Nora Byczkowski. She is also survived by her loving sister, Leila Blodgett of Marblehead, MA, her husband Fred Maynard, and her three nephews Drake, Albie, and Russell Blodgett. Anne also leaves behind her beloved Cavapoo, Maddie.