Beverly Ann Blake

1927 - 2010

Beverly Ann Blake passed peacefully with her family at her side on Nov. 4, 2010, in Ojai, Calif. She was 82 years old. She resided at the Gables of Ojai since 2004. She was born in Oroville, Calif., on Nov. 27, 1927, to Reason (Ray) Arthur Heatherington and Flora Elizabeth Vaughan Heatherington.

She is preceded in death by her husband and lifelong love, Roscoe Francis Blake of Santa Clara, Calif.

Beverly is survived by her five loving daughters, Claudia Blake and Walter Murphy of Studio City, Colleen Blake McGee and Harold McGee of Ojai, Susan and Henrik Lehnerer of Ojai, Beverly Blake of Irvine, and MaryLiz and Christopher Longueuil of Laguna Hills; seven grandchildren, Lauren Vela, Kathryn Lehnerer, Shawn, Andrew and Josh Simkovich, Sarah and Emily Longueuiel; four great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Andrew, Angelina and Asher Vela; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by her older brother Ray Heatherington and wife Margie, of Redwood City, and sister Linda Hockett and husband Rodney of Lucerne, Calif. She will be dearly missed by all of us.

Beverly was born in Butte County and moved to Santa Clara where she was raised and attended elementary and high school. She grew up with, and married, her sweetheart Frank Blake in 1948. Bev and Frank raised five daughters in Cambrian Park, San Jose, Calif. When her husband Frank retired from teaching in the Cambrian School District they moved to The Ridgemark Golf and Country Club in Hollister, Calif., where they enjoyed many years of golf, gardening, and travel.

When Frank passed away in 2002 Beverly moved to Ojai to be closer to her daughters. Her final years at The Gables of Ojai were filled with caring for her roses, jewelry making, knitting and being with her family. Beverly's life revolved around her family. She and Frank had a long, enduring love affair. They traveled the world, played golf everywhere and went to the Olympics several times. She cared for him in his final years with love, devotion and protection.

She maintained a house full of girls with love and organization. She imparted to all five of us empathy for others, being curious, the love of music, and her great sense of humor. She was known for her style, poise and determination when she set her mind on doing something, to do it right. She never forgot and spoke often of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, the scattered Santa Clara family, and her brother and sister. She missed them all as we all will now miss her.

A mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 27 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Ojai, and will be followed by a rose planting memorial and reception at The Gables of Ojai. A celebration of her life will take place in Yosemite at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, give someone you love a rose in honor of our mother, a dedicated rosarian. Donations can also be made to the Help of Ojai, in Ojai, Calif., or the Jesuit Seminary, in Santa Clara, Calif.