OCEANSIDE -- Former Oceanside City Councilwoman Betty Harding passed away Saturday morning of a reported aneurysm after being in ill health for some time. She was 75.

Harding was first elected to the council in 1994, serving two terms. She retired in 2002.

Longtime friend and former legislative aide to Harding, Maureen Hartin, said her former boss was a "real people person" and had a good grasp of city government and what needed to be done.

"She retired from the city of Glendora where she spent many years working for that city's redevelopment program," Hartin said. "One of the biggest contributions Betty made to Oceanside was being able to help guide our city's downtown redevelopment program through to where it is today."

After retiring in Glendora, she and her husband, Bill, who retired as a high school music teacher, moved to Oceanside.

"When they first moved to Oceanside, Betty worked as a legislative aide to former Mayor Larry Bagley," Hartin recalled. "When Larry retired in 1992, so did Betty -- again."

When Harding ran for the council in 1994, her main opponent was Carrie Lopez.

"The ballot tally was so close they had to do a recount," Hartin said. "It wasn't until some 20 days after the general election that we found out Betty was the winner, and then by less than 100 votes."

Harding was noted for her accessibility to the public.

"Betty was a real people person -- literally," Hartin said, chuckling. "She and I joined a local gym for some exercise, but Betty got very little because people were constantly coming up to her, telling about problems they were having in their neighborhood. Betty always listened."

Civic service was always important to her, said her daughter Julie Harding-Beck of Oceanside.

"She loved the city of Oceanside," Harding-Beck said. "Her family and friends will miss her deeply."

Former Councilwoman Colleen O'Harra, who served with Harding, said, "Betty was an absolutely dedicated city councilwoman. If you wanted something done and she agreed to do it, she would do it. The community has lost one of its best workers."

Former Mayor Terry Johnson, who served on the council from 1992 to 2004, applauded Harding for her teamwork and love of the city of Oceanside.

"Betty was a wonderful public servant," Johnson said. "She communicated with everyone, especially the city employees. She really cared about every employee of the city."

Johnson remembered Harding for her forthright manner.

"She did her job with dignity, honesty, and transparency," he said. "I recall Betty working extremely hard for downtown city redevelopment. She also fought really hard for our city's gateway along I-5 on the north side of town. She pushed hard for all of the new enhancements you see today when you enter the city."

The former mayor said if it hadn't been for Harding's support for cleaning up downtown, it wouldn't the progressive place it is today.

"Her vote to buy the Playgirl in cleaning up downtown was vital," he recalled.

"And, Betty was a strong supporter of the new business parks (Ocean Ranch) in the eastern half of the city. We needed those parks to increase our sales tax base."

Johnson said serving with Harding did have its moments of disagreements.

"We all knew that Betty really cared about the city," Johnson concluded. "As a family, sure, we had our disagreements, but in the end we came together for the betterment of the city of Oceanside."

Harding was known by the business community as an elected official who helped accomplish projects in a cooperative spirit.

"She was a real community team player. Politics didn't matter as much as what was best for the city," said longtime businessman Larry Hatter. "She wanted to get things done for the good of the public."

Hartin remembered one of Harding's first campaign promises was to bake cookies for each firehouse if they would support her.

"Betty spent days baking cookies," Hartin recalled. "She personally delivered those cookies to each of our firehouses."

Harding was active in a number of community and service organizations throughout the community. She and her husband were staunch supporters of the performing arts. She was a past president of Oceanside Civitan Club.

The Hardings' world was a rather small one. Both natives of Los Angeles, they met while Bill was playing bassoon in the USC concert band. During his long tenure at Charter Oak High in Glendora, one of his students was Barbara Wayne, now Oceanside's city clerk.

"Bill used to try and teach me how to play the clarinet and saxophone," Wayne recalled with a smile. "He tried his best, but I wasn't very good."

The Hardings have been close to Wayne since moving to Oceanside.

"Betty was such an active and caring person," she said. "She'd take food over to people when they were sick and was quite active in a lot of the clubs I'm in. This is certainly a big loss to Oceanside."

Services are planned for 3 p.m. next Saturday at King of Kings Lutheran Church, 2993 MacDonald St. in Oceanside.