LA Zoo honors longtime supporter Betty White on 100th birthday – Orange County Register

The late actress Betty White was honored Monday, January 17, at the Los Angeles Zoo – where she was a trustee, sponsor and honorary zookeeper – to celebrate her birth. her 100th birthday.

Mayor Eric Garcetti, who attended the event with Councilman Nithya Raman, said: “There is something that feels a bit incomplete here today, not just at the zoo, but in Los Angeles, and that is it. the loss of an angel here in the City of Angels”. “Our dear friend, Betty White… What’s bigger than her talent is her heart – her heart is for people, for all living things. That heart and humanity was shown by her right at the Los Angeles Zoo.”

White died December 31 at the age of 99 at his home in Brentwood. On Wednesday, the zoo announced the opening of a white rose memorial garden located at the Allen Ludden Shopping Center, named after White’s late husband. Zoo visitors can honor White by leaving a message, memory or drawing on a card, which will be on display until the end of January on a golden rope that hangs among white silk roses.

The zoo also created a self-guided “Betty’s LA Zoo Tour” honoring White’s contributions to the facility. The tour includes signage at 16 stops, where guests can learn about her connection to a particular animal or location through a series of pictures and quotes.

The walking tour, which runs through January 31, pays homage to White’s longtime dedication to animals and the LA Zoo. Those who can’t visit the Los Angeles Zoo but want to experience the “Betty’s LA Zoo Tour” can do so virtual at lazoo.org/betty-white.

The TV star is best known for her Emmy-winning roles on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “The Golden Girls,” said Tom Jacobson, president of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association.

“From people living in the wild, to people in shelters, to guide dogs for the blind – she loves all animals, big and small. She was never one to stand by and criticize. She will always work with us to do what she can to help,” Jacobson said Monday.

“…She was always looking forward, never looking back, and wanted to have a positive impact on the world, and that’s what she did. She’s a likable character on and off screen. “

Jacobson added that the zoo had planned a long way to honor White’s service, but details would be announced at a later date.

Zoo director Denise Verret on Monday described White as “kind, gentle, funny and… very humble”.

“She is a rare gem. I call her an endangered species. She makes it her purpose in life to use her humor, her influence to make the world a better place for all living things. Her body may be gone today, but her spirit will live on forever at the Los Angeles Zoo,” Verret said.

Monday’s event honoring White also included a $3,000 donation to the zoo from Pink’s Hot Dogs, which donates proceeds from the sale of White’s favorite hot dog – the Naked Dog – since her death at the end of December.

“Betty White used to go to Pink’s and get her ‘Naked Dog’. And she said, ‘Look, just tell everyone that Betty White is naked at the Pinks!’ And she just loves beef in a bun, just keep it simple,” says Richard Pink of Pink’s Hot Dogs.

“But when she gets there with her actor friends, she will just entertain the crowd in our dining room, and nothing more memorable, because you just mention the name Betty White, and what comes to mind but joy, laughter, and joy.”