Former Supervisor Robley Levy Passes Away at 90, Remembered for Environmental Legacy

Robley Levy, a prominent figure in Santa Cruz County and a beloved community leader, passed away on December 9, 2025, at the age of 90 in her La Selva Beach home, where she had lived for over six decades. Known for her unwavering commitment to environmental protection and community development, Levy served as the Second District Supervisor from 1980 to 1992, playing a pivotal role in shaping the county’s environmental policies.

During her tenure, Levy was instrumental in enacting strong environmental protections that safeguarded Santa Cruz County’s coastal resources and agricultural lands, particularly in the Pajaro Valley and along the north coast. She was a critical third vote in the Board of Supervisors, advocating for initiatives that established several community parks in her district. When she assumed office, there was only one neighborhood park; by the time she left, parks such as Freedom Lake Park, Hidden Beach Park, and Seascape Park had been created under her guidance.

Advocacy and Community Engagement

Levy’s contributions extended beyond park development. She championed the establishment of three regional parks: Polo Grounds County Park in Aptos, Anna Jean Cummings Park in Soquel, and Quail Hollow Park in the San Lorenzo Valley. Additionally, she played a vital role in preserving the La Selva Beach Library within the County Library System during the early 1980s. Her commitment to gender equity in local government was evident through her strong support for appointing women to significant positions within the county.

Before her election, Levy was the first president of the League of Women Voters of Santa Cruz County. Her public service included numerous roles on county committees, such as the Planning and Transportation Commissions, the Local Agency Formation Commission, and the Grand Jury. In 1978, she was appointed to the California Regional Coastal Commission by Governor Jerry Brown, further solidifying her influence in environmental governance.

A Life of Passion and Achievement

Born on March 24, 1935, in Santa Monica, California, Robley Marietta Timmins faced early challenges when her parents separated. Raised by her mother, she received a robust education, attending notable institutions such as the Walton School and Sanford Preparatory School. She graduated from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1956, starting her career as a technical writer and editor in New York City.

Robley later traveled to Europe, where she met her husband, Fred Levy. After his military service, they relocated to California for his graduate studies at Stanford University, where their children, Rebecca and Barnaby, were born. The family settled in La Selva Beach in 1963, where their third child, Elizabeth, arrived.

Following her time in office, Levy continued to contribute to her community through various boards, including the Cabrillo Foundation and the Live At Home Foundation. She pursued her artistic interests as a printmaker and painter, studying at Cabrillo College and Monterey Peninsula College. In her later years, she immersed herself in dramatic literature and became an active participant in local theater groups, including the Aptos Saturday Shakespeare Group.

Levy is survived by her children, Rebecca Levy (Robert Benson) of Aptos, Barnaby Levy (Rosanna Gamson) of Los Angeles, and Elizabeth Levy of Brooklyn, New York. Her grandchildren, Clementine and Delilah Gamson Levy, and Zachary Benson, also cherish her memory. She was predeceased by her husband Fred and her parents.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. John’s College or to the Robley and Fred Levy Scholarship Fund at Cabrillo College. A celebration of her life is planned for the Spring, with details available by contacting her daughter at [email protected].