After being lauded by friends and colleagues at the last City Council meeting of a long career, Councilmember Betty Olds was asked to say a few words.

Olds, who is known for her "Bettyisms," or the no-nonsense sayings that livened up council meetings, did not disappoint: "I've really outlasted four mayors and five city managers," she said. "It shows you that the women are the strongest."

During her 16-year stint as a council member, Olds has been a popular representative of District 6, the North Berkeley Hills.

Supporters filled the council chambers Tuesday night to show their appreciation as she was celebrated by a proclamation praising her "candid, earthy, no-nonsense style." Attendees cheered, laughed and gave Olds a standing ovation.

Several residents said they had enjoyed being represented by Olds.

"I'm so happy that you've been our councilperson," said Miriam Wolf. "I felt someone up there was speaking for me. I'm going to miss you."

Susan Wengraf, Olds' longtime aide who was elected to fill Olds' seat, teared up as she spoke.

"Not only is she the best boss, but she is the best friend," Wengraf said. "You convinced me doing this was fun and I look forward to calling you on a daily basis to keep my spirits up."

Olds' fellow councilmembers also joined in praising her long track record of supporting environmental issues.

Councilmember Linda Maio, who was elected at the same time as Olds, spoke about Olds' work ethic.

"I don't think people know how hard you worked, how reliable you were," Maio said.

Councilmember Laurie Capitelli gave Olds a hooting plastic owl in honor of Olds' love of the bird. The owl presided over the rest of the meeting, which consisted of a debate on the installation of cell phone antennae.

Olds said she will not miss the frustrating, contentious issues that often define Berkeley politics, but will miss her fellow council members.

"It's good to have a whole room happy, it just makes you feel better," she said. "Votes are difficult to take sometimes, so that part I won't miss. I will miss the camaraderie and getting to know so many nice people."

Of her accomplishments, Olds said she was most proud of finding a location for the new animal shelter and fighting against the removal of oak trees to build an athletic center at Memorial Stadium. In 2007, at age 86, Olds climbed onto a tree to protest.

The roots of Olds' environmental activism may come from her childhood. Growing up in the rural community of Oregon, Missouri, Olds said that she spent a lot of time outdoors.

"We could go anywhere we wanted to on hikes and there was lots of wildlife," she said. "It was a wonderful life."

However, the conservative values of Olds' childhood community starkly contrast with Berkeley's liberal reputation. Olds was raised in a conservative family, but when she moved to Berkeley for her late husband's architecture job, she became a staunch Democrat.

"In the whole county (where I grew up), there were only two Democratic families; everyone else was Republican and proud of it," she said. "Just living in Berkeley, I think that changes you."

Olds said much of her family remains conservative and view her as a radical, whereas in Berkeley politics, she was often a moderate voice.

"They all think to this day that I'm a flaming radical and I'm seen as pretty conservative out here compared to a lot of people," she said.

Olds said her "Bettyisms"-she once said someone was as "worthless as a tit on boar"-were an attempt to lighten up meetings, which she said needs to happen more often in politics.

"I try to have fun whatever I do," she said. "If you can't have some humor you're never going to have any fun. Everyone based in politics takes themselves so seriously and it's just silly."

Tags: BETTY OLDS, CITY COUNCIL