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PrintLois J. Beasley
Lois J. Beasley
Lois J. Beasley, 92, passed away peacefully in Sonoma on Feb. 9, 2012. Lois was born and raised in the panhandle area of Texas along with seven brothers and two sisters. She fell in love with a handsome blacksmith named Jack Beasley and in 1938 they married and moved to California. They both acquired jobs in the restaurant industry.
In 1942, the couple opened their own restaurant in Vallejo. The next year, during World War II, they also took over operation of two eateries at Mare Island Naval Base. To supplement the wartime food supply shortages, they bought chicken ranches in Sebastopol and Sonoma. After the war ended, they closed up the eateries, sold the ranch in Sebastopol, and moved to Sonoma.
Lois found work as a cook at a school cafeteria. She eventually took over as head of all the cafeterias for the Sonoma Valley Unified School District. In 1958, her husband Jack opened Beasley’s Restaurant in Petaluma. She joined him in the early 1960s. In 1976, Jack retired to his ranch in Sonoma. Lois closed the restaurant in 1979 and joined Jack in retirement.
Lois was an avid bowler for more than 30 years. In 1989, Lois was honored for 25 years of participation in the state tournament. She received recognition numerous times for high games. She also enjoyed going on cruises, quilting, crossword puzzles, playing cards and dominoes. She loved her family and had participated in many family reunions.
Jack, her loving husband of 71 years, passed away in 2009.
Lois is survived by her children, Chet (wife, Bonnie), Catherine, and Paul (wife, Laurie); her grandchildren, Dale, Adrienne, Tom, Bill, Jackie and Mary; and her six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Lois’ family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of the Sonoma Valley Hospital, Hospice By The Bay and Bella Vista Village for providing her with excellent care nurturing comfort in the last weeks of her life.
Private services will be held at Valley Cemetery in Sonoma at a later date. Memorial donations in Lois’ honor are preferred by the family to Hospice By The Bay, 190 W. Napa St., Sonoma, CA 95476. Inquiries can be made to Duggan’s Mission Chapel, Mission Cremation Service, at 707-996-3655 or at www.duggansmissionchapel.com.
Duggan’s Mission Chapel.
Mission Cremation Service
525 West Napa Street
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-996-3655
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Reader Comments:
I was lucky enough to have grown up in El Verano School with Mrs. Beasley as the cafeteria lady. (I was in Paul's class from Kindergarten until we graduated from high school.) In 5th or 6th grade the students took turns working in the cafeteria and we had such a good time with her. She was always cracking jokes and making us laugh, and yet demanded serious work. I loved the potatoes that she made, cut lengthwise, doused in butter and baked! The rest of the food was wonderful as well.
Then I joined the Bowling League (back in the 1980's)and spent many fun times with Lois. I went with her and Jack to a tournament out of town. She was a true lady and was not shy to say what she thought. And what a hostess. I went to a luncheon at the ranch which we all enjoyed. She had the way of making everyone comfortable and sometimes a little embarrassed! I am so thankful to have spent as much time with her as I did. Heaven has a spunky angel! My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. With Love, Karen Jarvinen