Dorothy West Beachler
Feb. 28, 1921-Nov. 13, 2023
Portola Valley, California

Dorothy West Beachler passed away at her daughters home in Portola Valley, CA on November 13th. She was 102 years old. Dorothy was born in Palmyra New York and was the oldest child of James and Cecile West. She was the first woman in her family to attend college and received her Bachelor's Degree from Miami University of Ohio. She got her pilot's license in her early twenties and was a member of the famous 99’s group that helped the government ferry planes in the US during the second World War. She also worked for the weather bureau preparing forecasts for the pilots in the Akron, Ohio area.

She met her husband, Bob Beachler, while at college and they moved to Southern California in the late 1940s where they had an aerial photography business taking shots of the Los Angeles Basin and the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

With the birth of their daughter, Megan, Dorothy turned her focus toward raising her child. Through Megan’s interest in 4-H Clubs, she volunteered as a 4-H leader, including helping start a new club, assisting at the local fair, and supporting and encouraging other 4-H kids that affectionately called her “Mrs B”. She would constantly tell them it was important to learn a new thing every day. A motto she lived by all of her life.

In the 1970s, she and Bob became interested in the Gem and Mineral Society and joined the Palos Verdes Peninsula Club, attending field trips and holding leadership positions over the years. They also joined the South Bay and the Long Beach Clubs and participated in their Gem Shows, and workshops. Dottie was known for her Chinese Knotting and Bead Work, but also had an extensive workshop where she cut slabs for jewelry making, did enamel work, and made lovely necklaces, earrings and silverwork. She also held several leadership roles with the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

Dorothy loved animals and nature and especially loved the many peacocks that lived in her neighborhood in Rolling Hills Estates. She learned to ride and enjoyed trail rides on her horse, Sunny, and had numerous dogs over the years. She was an advocate for protecting the Wild Wolves and maintaining open spaces for wildlife.

She will be remembered for the sparkle in her eye, a big smile and a genuine excitement for life and new adventures. She is survived by her daughter, Megan Beachler, and her grandson, Ryan Card.