Janet Beach,a fixture in
many aspects of SP, dies

Janet Beach, a Santa Paula 1997 Woman of History and fixture in many facets of the community, died Thursday, January 13, 2000, after a sudden illness. She was 71. Janet, who epitomized quiet community activism and devotion to the Santa Paula community, passed away at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura surrounded by her large family.Celebrated in 1997 as a Woman of History, Janet was indeed a woman who established a legacy of empowerment through her achievements and whose lifestyle was capped by the entertaining of her wide circle of friends for pleasure as well as fundraising.A native of Pasadena born on Feb. 21, 1928, Janet Freeman Beach always said her life had been an “interesting adventure” that rivaled the plot of the many books - Janet was an avid reader - she had enjoyed over the years.She also loved newspapers and current events and had a high recognition of beauty and art; exposed to artists as well as art at an early age, she studied drawing. Janet also found beauty in language, another lifelong love.Janet met her future husband, Edwin Beach, at Pasadena City College, who she said intimidated her with his flowery speaking skills; “But I'm no longer intimidated,” she'd say with her characteristic - and, at times, naughty - sense of humor.Janet and Ed married while students at the University of Southern California. He later became an attorney and Judge who served on the 2nd District Court of Appeals.They moved to Santa Paula in 1950, a move that Janet always said exceeded even their highest expectations, finding the city filled with “marvelous people. . .”The only child of an automobile dealer who died young and a “proper mother who never left the house without a hat and gloves” Janet said, she and Ed had seven children who she was proud to say had all graduated from Santa Paula High School before moving on to college and successful - and diverse - careers.Janet served for many years as President of the Friends of SPHS and helped to establish the art-focused Foundation for Youth that brings a variety of arts to the elementary school district.As a patron of the arts, Janet hosted numerous events to benefit same, including regular jazz concerts and art shows at the Beach's Say Road ranch, which the couple built with input from prominent architect Roy Wilson Sr.The Beach's annual July 4th barbecue was legendary, Janet - as always - making sure guests lacked nothing, whether it be a shared joke or talk of local issues.Her love of Santa Paula included its history, and she was highly active with the Historical Society and California Oil Museum. Her passion for art in public places was put to good use in the restoration and cataloging of the Santa Paula Civic Art collection. Janet's love of books led to her founding the Blanchard Community Library Endowment Fund.