For her generosity, the name of
Mrs. Kay Beachy can’t be forgotten

A serious omission in the Oct. 2 story about the retirement of Ray Phillips deserves to be pointed out. Mrs. Kay Beachy, a San Fernando Valley civic leader, put up the purchase price of $240,000 to save the Leonis Adobe from the scheduled tear-down and replacement by a shopping center. This is reported in the April 1963 issue of the Las Virgenes Enterprise, then published and edited by Eleanor deCarteret and Alice C. Stelle.

In the Nov. 13, 1964 issue of the Enterprise, we reported that Mrs. Beachy presented the deed to the Adobe property to the city of Los Angeles. She was honored by Mayor Sam Yorty at a luncheon and with a city scroll.

In the Dec. 4, 1964 issue, the Enterprise featured pictures of the demolition of the recent additions and start of restoration of the original Adobe. Mrs. Beachy also gave substantial additional funds to finance the restoration of the Adobe and the 5.5 acre site.

Reporting these facts accurately takes nothing from the 40 years of effort Ray Phillips put into the restoration and maintenance of the Leonis Adobe as an historical landmark. We thank him, but we must not forget Mrs. Beachy’s generosity.

Eleanor deCarteret and

Alice C. Stelle

Hidden Hills