Irene Burns 1910-2021 Born of Minnesota parents who moved west in 1910, Irene lived most of her life in Long Beach, , a city she always loved. She went to Wilson High School and Long Beach City College. Her parents, Raleigh and Emma Jennings, started a tradition of the family summering in Lake Tahoe that Irene carried forward, and it continues to this day. This and other traditions instilled the great importance of family and friends in our lives. During World War II, she met her beloved husband, John, while he was in California training for the Marine Corps. He served in the South Pacific for 19 months, and they married upon his return, resulting in a wonderful 60 years of marriage. By career, Irene was an industrial engineer working at Robertshaw Controls for 23 years until she retired to travel the country by trailer with John. They moved into Leisure World, Seal Beach, in 1999 and enjoyed golfing together with a dear group of friends. She is survived by her loving children—Jim, Kathy, Maureen— and extended family, including four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Historical Society of Long Beach in memory of Irene Burns. A memorial service will be held on Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Catholic Church, 13900 Church Place, Leisure World, Seal Beach, with a luncheon afterward at the Seal Beach Yacht Club at 255 N. Marina Drive in Long Beach.

Phyllis Sadie Mitchell 1921-2021 Phyllis Sadie Mitchell (Carslake) was born on May 19, 1921 in Vancouver, B.C. Canada. At her request, instead of a summary of her life, which she feels her family and close friends already know, the following poem Phyllis wrote in October 2010 will be used to honor her life. The Doors of Life Have you ever looked at life as a series of doors, opening and closing? When we are born, the first door opens, closes, and from that time on throughout our lives we open and close many doors. Each one offers us new choices and brings new challenges. We ask ourselves, what will this one bring? new love, friends, happiness, adventures? did I make the right choice? We stumble along life’s way making right and wrong choices but storing up memories for our later life. As that time approaches, we find we are getting reluctant to open them, but we must go on enjoying every moment and every memory. Too soon it is time to open that final door, but now is the time to be strong and... Who knows...just maybe... this door will lead us on the most wondrous adventure of them all... and never close.

Audrey R. Bixby 1926-2021 Au d r e y R. Bixby, 95, a resident of Mutual 5 for 29 years, passed away peacefully on Oct. 6. She was surrounded by love from her family. Audrey was born in Oakland, on Feb. 13, 1926, and graduated from Highland School of Nursing in 1947, beginning a lifetime career in the field. In 1954, she and her husband, Vert Queener, (divorced 1962), and their two daughters moved to Long Beach from Richmond. Audrey worked as a nurse at two area hospitals, becoming a head nurse in the geriatrics department at Community Hospital Long Beach. She later became an instructor of nursing at Long Beach Community College and retired after teaching 16 years there. Audrey enjoyed the outdoors and could be found sunning poolside at home, in her garden or playing tennis. Her interests included playing bridge; attending live theater; and traveling internationally and nationally, including going LW excursion trips. She served with the American Red Cross for several years and delivered Meals on Wheels for 20 years in the Belmont Shore area. Audrey is survived by her two daughters, Kathy Mohr (John) of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, and Connie Queener Peck of Signal Hill; and her grandsons, Brian Mohr (Ashley) of San Francisco and Tyler Mohr (Lacy) of Boston, Massachusetts. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Ruth Roggenbuck; her brother, Melvin Roggenbuck; and sisters, Lorayne Hizer and Everesta Gay Bowers. Per Audrey’s wishes, her ashes are to be scattered off the Seal Beach Pier in the Pacific Ocean by the Neptune Society.

Gloria Plotkin 1929-2021 Gloria Plotkin was born on July 21, 1929, in New York, and died on Oct. 7, in California. Her funeral service and burial was held on Oct. 10 at the Harbor Lawn-Mt. Olive Memorial Park, with Rabbi Eric Dangott officiating. Gloria’s family says she was a thoughtful and caring person and a bright light and a shining star. She will forever be missed. Rest in peace, you beautiful spirit. “ADONAI, You are my shepherd; I shall not want. You make me lie down in green pastures;You lead me beside the still waters. You restore my soul; You lead me in straight paths for Your name’s sake. Yea, though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You set a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Eternal forever,” (Psalm 23).