| Jane Besen Passes |
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| Written by Tilda De Wolfe | |||
| Wed, July 08, 2009 02:32 PM | |||
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Born in Chicago, she graduated high school at age 16 and went to work immediately as a secretary/receptionist. She attended Northwestern School of Business and ultimately got her B.A. at Cal State University L.A. in ’78. Her variety of interesting jobs included four years for the War Department, an ad agency, and a stint with some tax appraisers. She ultimately retired from secretarial work at Security Pacific Bank in 1990. In the 1940’s Jane married Irv Besen, an auditor for the Army Post Exchange. They had two sons, Joseph Ross and Allen Besen, then moved from Illinois to California, and in 1960 bought their home in Monterey Park. Jane was a Democrat since first registering at age 21 because she believed that Democrats had more interest in the welfare of people. She became closely involved in politics after joining the United Democratic Club of Monterey Park in 1986. She served as president for two years and countless years as secretary. She also was secretary of the 49th Assembly District(AD) for a time. Some of her writing skills (she reveled in creating poetry) helped produce some of the most easily and enjoyably read minutes. In 1998 she was honored as the 49th AD Democrat of the year. Jane, a well-known local painter who taught her son Allen to paint, was a longtime president of the Monterey Park Art Association. And she was a dedicated member of Concerned Citizens of Monterey Park. Her genuine smile, her quick wit, her enthusiasm and energy, her caring about people, her community, her country and the world will all be sorely missed. In addition to her two sons, Jane is survived by her brother Richard Triptow (a member of the first World Champion basketball team, the Chicago Gears.) A memorial tribute will be held Saturday, July 18 from 1:00 pm to 5 pm at 1540 Arriba Dr., Monterey Park. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation in Jane’s memory, please send it to her favorite group, the United Democratic Club of Monterey Park, P.O. Box 954, Monterey Park, CA 91754
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