FRITZI BENESCH

Fritzi L. Benesch
Fritzi Lehmann Benesch, a long-time San Francisco resident and co-founder of the nationally recognized women's clothing and manufacturing company, Fritzi of California, passed away peacefully at her home on September 19, 2012. She was 90 years old.
A native of Stralsund (then in East Germany), Fritzi, who was Jewish, suffered anti-Semitism while still a child. She was forced to leave school at age 15.
In 1939, Fritzi and her parents escaped the Nazis and fled to London to await approval to immigrate to San Francisco, where they had relatives. Since World War II broke out six weeks after they arrived, the family remained in Great Britain until the end of the war.
While in London, Fritzi spent many nights in cramped bomb shelters. During the days, she worked various clothing industry jobs, learning the business from the ground up. Meanwhile, Fritzi-who arrived in London knowing little English-frequented a movie house that played English-speaking films to master the language.
In 1946, a year after the war ended, Fritzi, then 25, immigrated to San Francisco with her parents. She began working for Trudy of California, a children's clothing manufacturer.
There, Fritzi met Ernest ("Ernie") Benesch, a Czechoslovakian-born immigrant and United States Army veteran, who had just returned from a tour of duty in the Pacific. Fritzi and Ernie were engaged within three weeks and married three months later.
Two years later, the couple took their modest life savings to found their own women's apparel company, Fritzi of California, named after Fritzi, who was "the talent" behind the business. She designed the clothing line and monitored quality.
Operating out of a small loft on Mission Street, the dedicated couple worked tirelessly (15 or more hours a day) to produce high-style clothes at low cost, often earning only $ .10 per blouse.
During their first year in operation, Fritzi of California nearly went out of business, but Fritzi and Ernie ignored advice to quit and clung to their visions of success. Instead, the company grossed $25,000 in its first year and continued to grow steadily and gain popularity for its affordable prices and quality clothing.
Sensitive to the challenges of immigrants like themselves, Fritzi and Ernie hired many European refugees, and the Jewish Family and Children's Services once presented Fritzi of California with an award for its commitment to the immigrant population.
As Fritzi of California grew and became profitable, Fritzi and Ernie never took large salaries. Instead, they reinvested in the business and purchased real estate, mostly in the then-unpopular areas south of Market Street in San Francisco.
Loved ones and friends respected Fritzi as a creative, cultured, brave, generous, accomplished, fashionable, liberated woman ahead of her time.
Fritzi was a big fan of opera, theater, and ballet, and she was committed to leading a healthy lifestyle. Likewise, she was an exercise enthusiast, who adored swimming long distances and taking rigorous walks. When younger, she also often played tennis and went skiing.
Fritzi is survived by her loving daughter, Connie; her sister-in-law, Inge Lehman; and her loyal nieces, Yvonne Hunter, Debbie Lucchesi, and Linda Philbin, and their families.
Special thanks to the dedicated nurses, Olivia Rayos, Vilma Magtoto, Maricel Coquia, and Glenda Pereyra, for their devotion and kindness to Fritzi during the last months of her life.
A private memorial service was held on September 21, 2012 at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.
Contributions in Fritzi's memory may be made to the San Francisco Opera Association, the Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties, or the charity of your choice.