In loving memory of the sisters we have lost |
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Susan Whittemore
Dear Family and Friends,
It is with deep sadness we announce the sudden loss of our beloved mother, Susan, who passed away on Friday, December 9, 2022. We are absolutely heartbroken.
Susan loved life, her family, and her friends. She was a very special person to us, and to her many friends who will miss her deeply. We are so thankful to everyone who has shared messages of support, memories, and photos of our mom. We intend to hold an intimate gathering to celebrate and honor her in January or February of 2023. More information will be shared soon.
In the past couple days, we have found comfort in a hymn—“On Eagle’s Wings”—which meant so much to our mom and may provide solace to all who loved her:
And He will raise you up on eagle’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His Hand
We will love you forever, Mom.
Infinite love,
John, David & Ann
It is with deep sadness we announce the sudden loss of our beloved mother, Susan, who passed away on Friday, December 9, 2022. We are absolutely heartbroken.
Susan loved life, her family, and her friends. She was a very special person to us, and to her many friends who will miss her deeply. We are so thankful to everyone who has shared messages of support, memories, and photos of our mom. We intend to hold an intimate gathering to celebrate and honor her in January or February of 2023. More information will be shared soon.
In the past couple days, we have found comfort in a hymn—“On Eagle’s Wings”—which meant so much to our mom and may provide solace to all who loved her:
And He will raise you up on eagle’ wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His Hand
We will love you forever, Mom.
Infinite love,
John, David & Ann
| susan_whittemore_bio_obit_new_pdf.pdf |
Beverly Bain
Beverly Ford Bain passed away on April 14, 2019 following a multi-year battle against cancer. She was 80 years old.
Born in Detroit, Michigan on April 6, 1939, Beverly was raised by her grandparents from the age of 5. As a child, she enjoyed ballet, basketball, baseball, and summer camp. She graduated from the University of Michigan, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She began her teaching career near Princeton, New Jersey before moving to California where she taught most of her career at Tierra Vista Elementary School in Oxnard. Bev received many awards throughout her career, including Teacher of the Year from the California Association of the Gifted. Teaching was more than her career. It was a passion. She also led workshops for teachers and wrote a handbook on effective teaching strategies.
Bev was generous, thoughtful, hard-working and loving, and she enjoyed a full and rich life. She loved reading, going to the ballet, lunches with friends, spending time with her grandchildren, and watching Michigan football and professional basketball.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, The Reverend James K. Bain Jr., a retired pastor from First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard, her daughter Carol and her husband David and her two grandchildren, Brian and Elise, and her son Scott and his wife Rebecca.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.
A Celebration of Bev's Life was held at 3:00 on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the Laguna Country United Methodist Church, 24442 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
(Published in Ventura County Star on May 19, 2019)
Born in Detroit, Michigan on April 6, 1939, Beverly was raised by her grandparents from the age of 5. As a child, she enjoyed ballet, basketball, baseball, and summer camp. She graduated from the University of Michigan, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She began her teaching career near Princeton, New Jersey before moving to California where she taught most of her career at Tierra Vista Elementary School in Oxnard. Bev received many awards throughout her career, including Teacher of the Year from the California Association of the Gifted. Teaching was more than her career. It was a passion. She also led workshops for teachers and wrote a handbook on effective teaching strategies.
Bev was generous, thoughtful, hard-working and loving, and she enjoyed a full and rich life. She loved reading, going to the ballet, lunches with friends, spending time with her grandchildren, and watching Michigan football and professional basketball.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, The Reverend James K. Bain Jr., a retired pastor from First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard, her daughter Carol and her husband David and her two grandchildren, Brian and Elise, and her son Scott and his wife Rebecca.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.
A Celebration of Bev's Life was held at 3:00 on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the Laguna Country United Methodist Church, 24442 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, CA 92637.
(Published in Ventura County Star on May 19, 2019)
Cindy Daniels (Beta Phi member 2016-17)
Former member, Cynthia “Cindy” Anna Daniels passed away peacefully on Wednesday May 23rd, 2018 after losing her battle with Kidney cancer. Cynthia was born February 17th, 1954 in Aschaffenburg, Germany to her German mother Elsa Uhlschmidt and her father Antonio Hernandez who was serving in the U.S. Army before coming to the United States as a young child and living in California. She raised her two sons Jason and Jeremy in Aurora, Colorado before returning to Southern California to finish her career. She will be remembered for the way she made all of us feel… Important, acknowledged and loved.
Jean Smith
Charlotte Jean Smith, age 93, passed away after a bout with infections which led to her systems shutting down. She passed away in her sleep at her senior facility in Irvine, CA on Friday March 9, 2018. Jean was a special lady, so kind, smart, and so welcoming to all our new members and visitors. This photo of her was taken at our Holiday Dinner December 2017. You can see her personality in her eyes and smile! We will always remember and love you, Jean.
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PAT CARVER LESLIE
Patricia C Leslie (aka Patricia Adcock), age 80, passed peacefully in her home in San Juan Capistrano, CA on January 9, 2017 after her long battle with cancer.
Patricia was born in Richmond, VA on July 4, 1936. She graduated from Lincolnton High School in North Carolina and attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Miami. She was a loving wife and mother, and she dearly loved her grandchildren. She was a devoted teacher for more than 30 years, instructing in both elementary and secondary grades and for regular, homebound, and gifted students. She was a member of [Beta Phi] Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi Beta Kappa, and MENSA., and was an active participant in Panhellenic events. She loved to watch and follow both college and professional football. Patricia is survived and will be greatly missed by her two sons, her brother, and her three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and another son.
[We in Beta Phi DKG will miss her so much; she embodied the Beta Phi spirit of joy and giving]
Patricia was born in Richmond, VA on July 4, 1936. She graduated from Lincolnton High School in North Carolina and attained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Miami. She was a loving wife and mother, and she dearly loved her grandchildren. She was a devoted teacher for more than 30 years, instructing in both elementary and secondary grades and for regular, homebound, and gifted students. She was a member of [Beta Phi] Delta Kappa Gamma, Phi Beta Kappa, and MENSA., and was an active participant in Panhellenic events. She loved to watch and follow both college and professional football. Patricia is survived and will be greatly missed by her two sons, her brother, and her three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and another son.
[We in Beta Phi DKG will miss her so much; she embodied the Beta Phi spirit of joy and giving]
Vera Bergen
(from the Obituary her family wrote)
Vera Bergen was born on May 7, 1921, in Kansas, and passed away on May 7, 2016 in Mission Viejo, California, at the age of 95. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Mindy Bergen, of Mission Viejo, CA, and her grandchildren, Paul and Aaron Bergen, and by her sister, Joyce Stanton, of Birmingham, Michigan.
Vera was born to Lydia, who had studied nursing, and Paul Blinn, a pharmacist, and later minister of the United Brethren Church. Vera grew up in Kansas, the oldest of five siblings: Joyce, Donald, Robert, and Larry. Inspired by her third grade teacher, she knew early on that she wanted to become a teacher herself. She worked numerous jobs, cooking, cleaning, and baby-sitting, to put herself through two years of college.
She met her future husband, Aaron, in Plains, Kansas, where she taught third grade, and where Aaron taught and coached at the local high school. They were married in 1943. They were married for 56 years, until Aaron's passing. In addition to teaching, they bought and operated farm and rental properties, which became a lifelong side occupation. They later moved to York, Nebraska, and then, after saving enough money to complete their education, they resigned their teaching positions and moved to Denver, Colorado, where they attended Denver University. Vera earned her BA Degree at Denver University in 1954, and also her MA in 1955, both in Education.
In 1955, Vera and Aaron moved to Los Angeles, and later, Torrance, California, whereVera continued teaching. In 1961 she became a Vice Principal of an elementary school in Inglewood. She also continued taking courses toward her PhD, at USC, Long Beach State, and Pepperdine University, but gave up that ambition when she became pregnant with her son, Ron, who was born in 1963. After returning to work, she took a position as principal of a school for handicapped children. She continued in administration of special education programs for the Los Angeles County School System, eventually directing a number of special education programs for children from 18 months old through high school, located in 14 school districts in Los Angeles County. Having a brother, Larry, who became a quadriplegic through a neck injury, gave her a special empathy for disabled children, and she dedicated the last twenty years of her career to develop and administer special education programs.
During her career as an educator, she served as president of the Inglewood Teachers Association, and was a delegate to the National Education Association Convention in Atlantic City. She was also president of the local chapter of the Council for Special Education, and was sent as a delegate to their national convention in Miami and Chicago. She was also president of the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (Beta Phi), an honorary sorority for outstanding women in education. She also held various offices in the United Methodist Women's organization.
In retirement, Vera and Aaron moved to Orange County California, first to Laguna Niguel, and then to Mission Viejo. She lived in her Mission Viejo home for nearly 30 years, longer than she had lived anywhere else.
She was a treasured friend to many. [I met Vera when I took her her Valentine Treat from Beta Phi. She had a beautiful smile and a warm heart. We talked for about an hour. I want you to know that at 95, she was computer literate I was impressed! ~Susan D] She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She adored her family. She lived a long, fulfilled, and blessed life. She will be greatly missed.
Vera Bergen was born on May 7, 1921, in Kansas, and passed away on May 7, 2016 in Mission Viejo, California, at the age of 95. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Mindy Bergen, of Mission Viejo, CA, and her grandchildren, Paul and Aaron Bergen, and by her sister, Joyce Stanton, of Birmingham, Michigan.
Vera was born to Lydia, who had studied nursing, and Paul Blinn, a pharmacist, and later minister of the United Brethren Church. Vera grew up in Kansas, the oldest of five siblings: Joyce, Donald, Robert, and Larry. Inspired by her third grade teacher, she knew early on that she wanted to become a teacher herself. She worked numerous jobs, cooking, cleaning, and baby-sitting, to put herself through two years of college.
She met her future husband, Aaron, in Plains, Kansas, where she taught third grade, and where Aaron taught and coached at the local high school. They were married in 1943. They were married for 56 years, until Aaron's passing. In addition to teaching, they bought and operated farm and rental properties, which became a lifelong side occupation. They later moved to York, Nebraska, and then, after saving enough money to complete their education, they resigned their teaching positions and moved to Denver, Colorado, where they attended Denver University. Vera earned her BA Degree at Denver University in 1954, and also her MA in 1955, both in Education.
In 1955, Vera and Aaron moved to Los Angeles, and later, Torrance, California, whereVera continued teaching. In 1961 she became a Vice Principal of an elementary school in Inglewood. She also continued taking courses toward her PhD, at USC, Long Beach State, and Pepperdine University, but gave up that ambition when she became pregnant with her son, Ron, who was born in 1963. After returning to work, she took a position as principal of a school for handicapped children. She continued in administration of special education programs for the Los Angeles County School System, eventually directing a number of special education programs for children from 18 months old through high school, located in 14 school districts in Los Angeles County. Having a brother, Larry, who became a quadriplegic through a neck injury, gave her a special empathy for disabled children, and she dedicated the last twenty years of her career to develop and administer special education programs.
During her career as an educator, she served as president of the Inglewood Teachers Association, and was a delegate to the National Education Association Convention in Atlantic City. She was also president of the local chapter of the Council for Special Education, and was sent as a delegate to their national convention in Miami and Chicago. She was also president of the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (Beta Phi), an honorary sorority for outstanding women in education. She also held various offices in the United Methodist Women's organization.
In retirement, Vera and Aaron moved to Orange County California, first to Laguna Niguel, and then to Mission Viejo. She lived in her Mission Viejo home for nearly 30 years, longer than she had lived anywhere else.
She was a treasured friend to many. [I met Vera when I took her her Valentine Treat from Beta Phi. She had a beautiful smile and a warm heart. We talked for about an hour. I want you to know that at 95, she was computer literate I was impressed! ~Susan D] She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She adored her family. She lived a long, fulfilled, and blessed life. She will be greatly missed.
Augusta Knuth
Vera Turner
Vera Benstead Turner passed away from heart failure with her husband, Joseph, of 48 years by her side on June 18, 2013. She hails from Redondo Beach, earned a B.A. and teaching credential at UCLA and in 1956 she obtained a Masters of Education at USC. During her career, she taught American Overseas School in Tachikawa, Japan and Mannheim, Germany. For years, she was a highly respected school principal with the Anaheim Elementary School District. She was nominated for Woman of the Year in Anaheim, had a Lifetime PTA Membership and retired in 1979. She was always a supporter of education and the arts and loved to travel.
She has been a faithful and dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma since the 1950s. She was in charge of registration for an international convention in the 1950s. She has been a member of five different chapters in Delta Kappa Gamma due to residing in Santa Ana, Hemet, and San Juan Capistrano during her lifetime. She enjoyed receiving our newsletters and often attended Beta Phi meeting when they were held on a Saturday as she did not enjoy driving at night in her later years. She always brought a teaching friend along to the meeting. She was gracious and complimentary of Beta Phi activities. As stated by Judy Kearns, Chi State President, "A loyal member in the Society is a treasure for all of us." She will be dearly missed by Beta Phi.
Submitted by Donna W
She has been a faithful and dedicated member of Delta Kappa Gamma since the 1950s. She was in charge of registration for an international convention in the 1950s. She has been a member of five different chapters in Delta Kappa Gamma due to residing in Santa Ana, Hemet, and San Juan Capistrano during her lifetime. She enjoyed receiving our newsletters and often attended Beta Phi meeting when they were held on a Saturday as she did not enjoy driving at night in her later years. She always brought a teaching friend along to the meeting. She was gracious and complimentary of Beta Phi activities. As stated by Judy Kearns, Chi State President, "A loyal member in the Society is a treasure for all of us." She will be dearly missed by Beta Phi.
Submitted by Donna W
Lois Lytle
Beta Phi is sad to report the passing of Lois Lytle on the evening of March 2,2013. Our Chi State President, Sandy Rushing, relayed this message to us through an email from Lois's son, Doug Lytle. For many years Lois has had failing health and resided in a care facility in Encinitas close to her son and his family. The family expressed heartfelt gratitude to all members who stayed
connected with their mom for so long and throughout her final years. A memorial service is planned in early May in PalmDesert for her friends and family.
In regards to her educational life, Lois graduated from University of Akron and received a MS and M.Ed at Kent State University in Ohio. In 1991, she was Teacher of the Year in the Irvine Unified School District. She also was Curriculum Coordinator at Lakeside Middle School and Principal of Fletcher Elementary School in the
Orange UnifiedSchool District. She was loved and respected
by her students, fellow teachers, and staff.
She had a very active life in DKG. She was a charter member of our chapter so has been in Beta Phi since 1992. In our chapter, she has been president, vice-president, historian and parliamentarian. She has also been on the membership and nomination committees. From 2001-2003, she was Area Director of Area XIV. She loved to make marvelous albums all about the history of our chapter. She was always 'snapping a photo' to put in the album.
She had a lovely smile and positive attitude. She never missed a DKG function. Lois Lytle will be remembered and greatly missed by all in our Beta Phi Chapter.
Submitted by Donna W, Diane E, and Susan W
Co-Presidents of Beta Phi
connected with their mom for so long and throughout her final years. A memorial service is planned in early May in PalmDesert for her friends and family.
In regards to her educational life, Lois graduated from University of Akron and received a MS and M.Ed at Kent State University in Ohio. In 1991, she was Teacher of the Year in the Irvine Unified School District. She also was Curriculum Coordinator at Lakeside Middle School and Principal of Fletcher Elementary School in the
Orange UnifiedSchool District. She was loved and respected
by her students, fellow teachers, and staff.
She had a very active life in DKG. She was a charter member of our chapter so has been in Beta Phi since 1992. In our chapter, she has been president, vice-president, historian and parliamentarian. She has also been on the membership and nomination committees. From 2001-2003, she was Area Director of Area XIV. She loved to make marvelous albums all about the history of our chapter. She was always 'snapping a photo' to put in the album.
She had a lovely smile and positive attitude. She never missed a DKG function. Lois Lytle will be remembered and greatly missed by all in our Beta Phi Chapter.
Submitted by Donna W, Diane E, and Susan W
Co-Presidents of Beta Phi
Dr. Joann Koperski
All of us were very sad to hear about the passing of one of our sisters, Dr. Joann Koperski. She is going be missed by all of us. She joined DKG in 1965 and was a member of Delta Beta in Area XII. While in Delta Beta, she was a president and corresponding secretary. After moving to San Clemente in 1997, she joined
Beta Phi. During her career, she was a secondary teacher, assistant high school principal, junior high school and elementary school principal. She served on many boards such as : Desert Counseling Clinic, Hospital Board of Ridgecrest, teachers and administrators' association and a Pink Lady for a local hospital. Both Joann and her sister, Jane have always supported activities of Beta Phi which includes our grant/scholarship fund, Jared Boxes Project and food/supplies for the homeless. One of last requests was to remember to send a check to Beta Phi. We always enjoyed having both sisters attend our meetings. This gallant and kind sister will certainly be remembered and missed.
Submitted by Donna W
Beta Phi. During her career, she was a secondary teacher, assistant high school principal, junior high school and elementary school principal. She served on many boards such as : Desert Counseling Clinic, Hospital Board of Ridgecrest, teachers and administrators' association and a Pink Lady for a local hospital. Both Joann and her sister, Jane have always supported activities of Beta Phi which includes our grant/scholarship fund, Jared Boxes Project and food/supplies for the homeless. One of last requests was to remember to send a check to Beta Phi. We always enjoyed having both sisters attend our meetings. This gallant and kind sister will certainly be remembered and missed.
Submitted by Donna W
Marjorie Marting
Marjorie Marting, former Chi State President and the beloved organizer of our chapter, Beta Phi, passed away on November 19th at the age of 93, after a recent bout with pneumonia. Marjorie set a high standard as the example of a caring, professional, progressive thinking, and dedicated Delta Kappa Gamma woman. She
mentored many of us in leadership and was rewarded last May as she proudly watched our Sandy Rushing be installed as Chi State President.
Marjorie started her career as a Home Economics Teacher at East Bakersfield High after earning her B. A. at Santa Barbara State College. She joined the Navy during WW II and proudly served her country as a Lieutenant in San Francisco as a procurement officer for radio, radar, and sonar equipment. That is where she met her husband, John, who was also in the Navy. They married after the war and she began teaching again; taking a position at John Marshall High School in LA unified School District. After earning a counseling credential at USC, Marjorie became a counselor and then head counselor at Madison High School. She then took a position as Assistant Principal at Metropolitan High School and later was a Vice Principal at Van Nuys High School. After retiring from public education, she was asked to be principal of Christian Way School in Woodland Hills which was part of the church they attended. This was the final position Marjorie held
before retiring for good.
Marjorie was invited to join Delta Kappa Gamma in 1960 and belonged to Gamma Kappa chapter in Area IX. Marjorie moved from chapter leadership to state leadership, serving on the Chi State Professional Affairs Committee, as Chi State 1st VP and finally as Chi State President from 1977-1979. During this time Marjorie helped to start the legislative study sessions in Sacramento. The state membership experienced high levels during her biennium. Marjorie also served on the International Personal Growth and Services Committee, and as chair of the International Professional Affairs Committee. She served on the Board of Trustees of Delta Kappa Gamma International Education Foundation. Marjorie received the Chi State Distinguished Service Award in 1993. In 2010 Marjorie was honored at Chi State Convention as a 50-year member.
When John and Marjorie retired and moved to Irvine, she was asked by International DKG to start a chapter here in Irvine—a daunting task since she had no contacts here. She combed the newspapers, searching for worthy candidates and sent them letters. In this way Beta Phi was organized and chartered by Chi State on April 26th, 1992. Our first chapter president was Sandy Rushing in 1992-1994. Marjorie will not be with us next year to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, but she will be there in spirit.
Marjorie will be remembered as a truly grand lady and a key woman educator for many years to come.
By Diane E
mentored many of us in leadership and was rewarded last May as she proudly watched our Sandy Rushing be installed as Chi State President.
Marjorie started her career as a Home Economics Teacher at East Bakersfield High after earning her B. A. at Santa Barbara State College. She joined the Navy during WW II and proudly served her country as a Lieutenant in San Francisco as a procurement officer for radio, radar, and sonar equipment. That is where she met her husband, John, who was also in the Navy. They married after the war and she began teaching again; taking a position at John Marshall High School in LA unified School District. After earning a counseling credential at USC, Marjorie became a counselor and then head counselor at Madison High School. She then took a position as Assistant Principal at Metropolitan High School and later was a Vice Principal at Van Nuys High School. After retiring from public education, she was asked to be principal of Christian Way School in Woodland Hills which was part of the church they attended. This was the final position Marjorie held
before retiring for good.
Marjorie was invited to join Delta Kappa Gamma in 1960 and belonged to Gamma Kappa chapter in Area IX. Marjorie moved from chapter leadership to state leadership, serving on the Chi State Professional Affairs Committee, as Chi State 1st VP and finally as Chi State President from 1977-1979. During this time Marjorie helped to start the legislative study sessions in Sacramento. The state membership experienced high levels during her biennium. Marjorie also served on the International Personal Growth and Services Committee, and as chair of the International Professional Affairs Committee. She served on the Board of Trustees of Delta Kappa Gamma International Education Foundation. Marjorie received the Chi State Distinguished Service Award in 1993. In 2010 Marjorie was honored at Chi State Convention as a 50-year member.
When John and Marjorie retired and moved to Irvine, she was asked by International DKG to start a chapter here in Irvine—a daunting task since she had no contacts here. She combed the newspapers, searching for worthy candidates and sent them letters. In this way Beta Phi was organized and chartered by Chi State on April 26th, 1992. Our first chapter president was Sandy Rushing in 1992-1994. Marjorie will not be with us next year to celebrate our 20th Anniversary, but she will be there in spirit.
Marjorie will be remembered as a truly grand lady and a key woman educator for many years to come.
By Diane E
