Bea Friedman

FRIEDMAN, Bea Passed away in Sebastopol on August 26, 2003. Dearly beloved, devoted and loving wife of Elwin of Sebastopol, and mother of Jim and Gail, both of Guerneville; dear sister of Leo Goldberg and wife Ethel, loving aunt of Jack Goldberg and Sylvia Sanford, and sister-in-law of the late Laura Oppenheim. Born in Boston, she spent most of her life in Maine and Connecticut, a wonderful example of New England hospitality and Jewish motherhood, always an expression of deeply caring interest in the lives of her beloved family. She and Elwin followed their children to California in 1984 and became members of Congregation Beth Ami in Santa Rosa. As always, they readily made new and lasting friendships. Bea loved children, animals, nature and the simple things in life, always thinking of others and amazing people with her intuition and inner knowingness. She enjoyed using her camcorder to videotape a variety of subjects, fascinated by the world around her. Bea enjoyed a happy life with child-like enthusiasm. She was down-to-earth, yet deeply spiritual. A common thread in her life is that she was compassionate, generous and a friend to all. This was apparent in the small country store she and her husband owned in Maine, her nursing experience in a convalescent home and her 33 years of nurturing child-care. Bea-Bea, as she was lovingly called by "her children, " often volunteered her time to help others, who, like herself, were struggling to make ends meet. Bea’s hard work, throughout her life, always seemed to involve service to others. Although not financially rewarding, Bea felt much more than rewarded by seeing the positive impact of her efforts. She holds a very special place in the lives and hearts of many who had the good fortune to know her. Bea encouraged others to be their best and did her best to promote peace in the lives of those around her. Her pure, well-intentioned spirit is an inspiration, even during challenging times, and her kind and wise words, "Things happen for a reason, " still echo forth. She lives now, as always, in the comfort of knowing that God is always with her. All are invited to attend a Grave-side Service on Sunday, August 31, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at Santa Rosa Memorial Park, Congregation Beth Ami Section, 1900 Franklin Ave., San-ta Rosa. Donations in her memory may be made to the "Make-A-Wish-Foundation", Greater Bay Area Chapter, 785 Market St., Ste. 400, San Francisco, CA 94104. Arrange-ments under the care of the DANIELS CHAPEL OF THE ROSES FUNERAL HOME.