Robley Levy, a dedicated public servant and beloved community figure, passed away on December 9, 2025, at her home in La Selva Beach, California. She was 90 years old. Levy served as the Second District Supervisor for Santa Cruz County from 1980 to 1992, where she played a pivotal role in championing environmental policies that safeguarded the region’s coastal resources and agricultural lands.
During her time in office, Levy was instrumental in the establishment of numerous parks and recreational areas. When she took office in 1980, the Second District had only one neighborhood park. By the time she left in 1992, she had helped create several parks, including Freedom Lake Park, Hidden Beach Park, Seascape Park, Willowbrook Park, and Corralitos Park.
In addition to her work on community parks, Levy was a driving force behind the acquisition 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. She also took pride in preserving the La Selva Beach Library as part of the County Library System in the early 1980s, and advocated for the appointment and advancement of women in county government roles.
Early Life and Career
Robley Marietta Timmins was born on March 24, 1935, in Santa Monica, California, to Joseph John Timmins and Myrtle Margaret Clark Timmins. Following her parents’ separation when she was four years old, she was raised by her mother in Washington, D.C. Her mother, a secretary, worked hard to provide Robley with a quality education.
Levy attended the Walton School in Bethesda, Maryland, and later graduated from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1956. She began her career as a technical writer and editor in New York City before moving 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 they welcomed their first two children, Rebecca and Barnaby. Their third child, Elizabeth, was born after they moved to La Selva Beach in 1963.
Community Involvement and Legacy
Beyond her role as a County Supervisor, Levy held various positions on committees and commissions, including the Planning and Transportation Commissions and the Local Agency Formation Commission. She was appointed to the California Regional Coastal Commission by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 1978.
Levy was also the founding president of the League of Women Voters of Santa Cruz County. Her commitment to civic engagement extended to her involvement with the Cabrillo Foundation and the Live At Home Foundation, as well as serving on the Board of Visitors and Governors at St. John’s College.
In her later years, Levy pursued her passion for the arts, becoming a printmaker and painter. She studied at Cabrillo College and Monterey Peninsula College, showcasing her work in local exhibitions. Her love for theater and literature flourished as she engaged with the Aptos Saturday Shakespeare Group and supported local theater companies, including Santa Cruz Shakespeare and the Jewell Theater.
Robley 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, as well as her grandchildren, Clementine and Delilah Gamson Levy, and Zachary Benson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, or to the Robley and Fred Levy Scholarship Fund at Cabrillo College. A celebration of Levy’s life will take place in the spring, with details available through the family email at [email protected].
