Join Soroptimist International of Rio Vista Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM at the Monarch Grill for a refined 1970s-inspired gala celebrating 70 years of women whose leadership, vision, and service have shaped our community. The 70th Anniversary Gala also honors five amazing Women of Achievement. Our special guest speaker is Pete Hamilton representing the Rio Vista Museum.
Ticket sales for the event have been surprisingly brisk so buy your tickets now! If you’re a fan of Soroptimists’ work, consider sponsorship opportunities. Your sponsorship helps fund scholarships and grants, mentoring programs, career development resources, and local impact projects. Or consider placing an ad in the Gala program. Go to siriovista.com or contact Eldy Nodal at eldy0612@gmail.com or Vera Sunada at verasunad@gmail.com for more event information.
Soroptimist International of Rio Vista is thrilled to provide more information about our 2026 Women of Achievement honorees! Meet Natalie Crew and Lorelyn Hechtman.
Natalie Crew:
Decades of Dedication to Family, Youth, and Community
A Lifelong Commitment to Rio Vista
Natalie Crew has been a dedicated and influential volunteer in the Rio Vista community for decades, generously giving her time, energy, and leadership to organizations that support youth, families, and civic life. From 1974 to 1990, she played a pivotal role in local youth development through the Rio Vista PTA and Red Cross Swim Lessons for schools, and for 14 of those years she also coached the Rio Vista Sharks Swim Team, helping generations of young swimmers build confidence and life-saving skills.
Fostering Growth in Youth and Families
Natalie’s commitment to children and families extended into education and service, where she taught catechism for seven years, served as a Cub Scout leader for both of her sons, and volunteered as a room mother and classroom helper throughout their school years. She was also actively involved with Rio Vista CARE, contributing six years to the Panther Pal Program and serving as Chair of the Super Slalom Windsurf Tournament for four years, raising funds to support local youth programs.
Leading by Example in Civic and Nonprofit Spheres
Her leadership reached the civic and nonprofit levels as well. Natalie served six years as City Treasurer, one year as PTA President, and held multiple leadership roles within Soroptimist International, including President (two years), Treasurer (two years), First Vice President, and Second Vice President.
A Lasting Impact on the Community
Balancing her extensive volunteer service while raising a family and working part-time, Natalie Crew exemplifies a lifelong commitment to community service and leadership. Her lasting impact continues to be felt throughout Rio Vista.
Lorelyn Hechtman:
A Lifetime of
Community Impact
Introduction
Lorelyn Hechtman is an 81-year-old local leader who has held various titles over the 60 years she has called Ryer Island and Rio Vista her home. Throughout her life, she has been recognized as a leader, teacher, advisor, board director, role model, supporter, sister, wife, mother, and valued community member. Lorelyn strives to be the simple “tossed stone” that creates ripples of impact.
Youth and Early Achievements
As a teenager, Lorelyn hosted her own radio show, where she spotlighted Marin County’s 4H news. At the age of 16, she was selected as the California State 4H Citizenship Delegate to the National 4H Congress in Chicago. After graduating from high school, she broadened her cultural understanding and language skills by living with a local family in Guadalajara, Mexico and studying there before earning her bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1966. It was at Cal Poly that Lorelyn met Ned Hechtman, and in 1967, she married into the Dozier-Hechtman fifth-generation farming family, who had long worked the land in the Rio Vista and Ryer Island area.
Dedication to Education and Youth
Lorelyn has made significant contributions to her adopted community by teaching students in a variety of ways. She provided home tutoring for students recovering from surgery and taught high school math in the River Delta Unified School District for 40 years. Additionally, she was involved in local church Sunday School programs. For over a decade Lorelyn led the Ryer Island 4H Club, offering young people hands-on learning experiences in areas such as planting crops, sewing, cooking, and public speaking. She also helped create Riverview School’s first computer lab by securing donated equipment.
Community Service and Leadership
Lorelyn’s compassion and support have made her someone that others rely on for encouragement and guidance. She served on the Rio Vista CARE Board in its early days. After retiring from River Delta Unified in 2008, she assisted seniors in Pismo Beach, including offering comfort to those at the end of life. Lorelyn became a volunteer and later a board member at the Rio Vista Food Pantry. When she learned the organization was facing serious financial difficulties, she organized systems, secured funding from grants and donations, recruited volunteers, and managed initiatives such as the “Catch of the Day” rummage sale and canned food and Christmas gift drives. Thanks to her efforts, the Food Pantry now has stable finances, with more than 120 volunteers, and provides over 680 hours of service each month to ensure that more than 200 families have enough to eat.
Faith and Personal Resilience
Lorelyn is the mother of three children: Lisa, Heidi and Michael. Lorelyn credits her Christian faith for her resilience during personal loss, including the deaths of Heidi from cancer in 2008, and Michael, who died in a bicycle accident in 1987. Her ongoing faith inspires her commitment to help others overcome life’s challenges.
