It is with heavy hearts that we report the passing of Mia Wells Beglinger, a long-time Belmont Shore resident, historian, community servant and personal friend to many at the Long Beach Post. 

 

In addition to mourning the death of a friend and Long Beach hero, we find solace knowing that Mia has reunited with her husband Bob Beglinger and mother Grace Wells.  We also enjoy our memories of Mia.  My memories reflect the time I worked with Mia at St. Anthony High School.  As Director of the Alumni Affairs office, I quickly learned that alumna Mia Beglinger was an expert in institutional memory and the history of St. Anthony High School. Co-Publishers Robert Garcia and Shaun Lumachi have similar experiences of our friend Mia, and both send their regards to her family.

 

Mia Beglinger passed away on October 26, 2007. Born in Los Angeles, she was a seventh generation Californian whose ancestors originated from Spain. 

 

She was raised in Belmont Shore, crowned Miss Belmont Shore as a young lady and continued to reside there until her death last Friday.  She attended St. Anthony High School, where upon graduation began a very long stint of volunteer service to the school and church.  She was named Alumni Director and kept that title over the years. 

 

For years Mia worked as the photojournalist for the Long Beach Review, and her photos were often included in the Press Telegram, Grunion Gazette and Marina News.  Mia was also a professional model, actress, theater director, and talented artist specializing in portraits and oils. While her talents were impressive, her service to the Long Beach community is much more.

 

The list of organizations with which Mia was involved is extensive.  It includes Thirty Years of Thursdays Art Class, the Peppermint Playhouse, St. Bartholomew Church, St. Anthony Church, St. Anthony High School, Officers Wives Club, Musical Theater West, DAAG, Condit Club, Archdiocesan CCW, Fine Arts Affiliates, Committee of 300, LBYH, Kids Connection, PC for the Arts, Diamond Terrace, Child Net, Cedar House, Children’s Museum, and Community Hospital of Long Beach. 

 

Mia also had a passion for animals, a trait that helped her fit in quite well in Belmont Shore.  She was known for carrying her tea cup poodle, Peaches, in her purse. One time Mayor Beverly O’Neill reached her hand into Mia’s purse to pet Peaches to find out that Peaches was at home with Mia’s daughter.

 

Mia leaves her daughter, Melissa Beglinger Murphy, son-in-law Jim Murphy, and pets Christopher and Poquita from Long Beach Friends of Animals.

 

Funeral Services will be held at St. Bartholomew Church, 252 Granada Avenue, on Saturday, November 3 at 10:00 a.m.  Burial will take place at All Souls Cemetery, 4400 Cherry Avenue.

 

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the St. Anthony High School Mia Scholarship Fund, Las Damas at Long Beach Community Hospital, Kids Connection (formerly the Long Beach Youth Home) and/or Friends of Long Beach Animals.