Beverly Joyce Fleitz

Beverly Joyce Fleitz

Beverly Joyce Fleitz, the daughter of Frank and Pauline Baker, passed away peacefully at her home in Long Beach, California on April 29, 2014 at the age of 84. She was born March 13, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. Her father taught her to play tennis at an early age in Santa Monica. Since she experienced difficulty reaching backhands, her father taught her to hit left-handed forehands instead. The ambidextrous young player captured many junior titles beginning in 1942 and won the U.S. Junior Girls crown in 1947. She continued at the professional level winning over 60 national and international singles titles. During her career, she married her beloved John in 1951, consistently ranked in the top six, and reached number one in 1959. After taking the winners crown at the Pacific Southwest tournament in Los Angeles, she announced her retirement from singles tournaments. John and Beverly were longtime residents of Long Beach and continued to play mixed doubles tournaments together. During the last eight years of her career, she was the only mother on the tennis circuit.

She was a cherished wife, devoted mother, generous grandmother, and friend whose presence would light up a room. For those of us lucky enough to have known Beverly personally, her passing has created a void that will never be filled. She will be missed each and every day. She was completely dedicated to her family and husband John, caring for him during his battle with Alzheimer's disease, which lead to his passing in 2011. She was a woman of integrity whose actions personified her values and a great sense of humor that always greeted you with a smile. May she now rest in the arms of her Heavenly Father, in peace at last.

Beverly is the mother of four children and many grandchildren and one great grandchild: Kimberly Duarte-Fleitz, Julie (Kris) Kazarian, Lisa Wetherell, Jamie Phillips, Kristen (Leith), Jeffrey (Anastassia), Brittany, Jonathan, Katie, Jackson, Daniel, Courtney, Irene and Mitchell, and great granddaughter Riley.

Beverly will be laid to rest Monday May 5th in a private ceremony at Green Hills Cemetery. The family has asked that in-lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Sanctuary Hospice at www.sanctuaryhospiceca.com or the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. Please sign the guest book at www.presstelegram.com/obits and www.dailybreeze.com/obits.