Grew up in Yuma Territory as the only "white" child. Her mother and father knew each other for awhile and were to be married until the earthquake struck in 1906. He worked for the railroad. She took care of her mother and mother in law who suffered damage from the quake and they eventually married in REdwood City April 24th, 1906. Her father continued with the railroad until they moved to Santa Cruz where he became a Fish and Wildlife Ranger.