Bessie Lee McIntosh

Bessie Lee (Becky) McIntosh, 95 years old, of Palm Desert, CA, passed away June 7, 2011 at her home with family at her side. She was born in Blaine, Arkansas on November 20, 1915 to Claude Ray and Ollie Mae Durning. She came to the Coachella Valley in 1925 with her parents, two brothers and two sisters. She graduated from Coachella Valley High School in 1934. She worked for General Telephone for 38 years, retiring in the late 70's. She began her career as a switchboard operator in Thermal and worked up to the chief telephone operator of the valley. Bessie married Sherman McIntosh in Indio on Dec. 6, 1963. They were owners of McIntosh Pharmacy and Sherman's Liquors in Indio. She was preceded in death by her husband, Sherman McIntosh, both parents, all brothers and sisters, grandson, Darren York, and nephew, James Place. She is survived by son, Tom McIntosh of Palm Desert; daughter, Linda York of Indio; Grand daughter, Sarah McIntosh of Palm Desert; Grandsons, Robert McIntosh of La Quinta, Steve McIntosh of San Diego, Todd McIntosh of Palm Desert and Sean McIntosh of Texas; grand daughter, Deborah Eby of Montana; nephews, Roger Place of Thousand Palms, Jeff Place of Palm Desert; great grandson, Ryan McIntosh; grandnephew, Kevin Place of Palm Desert, and grandnieces, Alisa Place of Washington, PA and Leanne Sanford of La Quinta. She was a dynamic, loving, kind, caring, generous, and devoted woman who will be very much missed by all who were fortunate enough to be loved by her. Graveside services will be held June 17th at Coachella Valley Cemetery at 9:00am. For further information contact Forest Lawn Mortuary of Cathedral City at 760-328-3140. Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries. To view and sign this guestbook please visit mydesert.com/obituaries.