FOREMAN, Birthe Lindor
November 29, 1925 - May 9, 2021
Birthe Lindor Foreman, 95, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on May 9, 2021 in the medical center at Casa Dorinda in Montecito, California. Birthe was born on November 29, 1925 in Copenhagen, Denmark. She was a proud Dane and lived with her parents through the German occupation of Denmark. As a teenager, she lost her only brother, Nils, who at the young age of 21 organized a unit in the Danish Resistance and was killed in a nighttime mission against the Nazi invaders.
Birthe attended University in Copenhagen and earned her degree in Home Economics. Not finding the opportunity she was seeking for employment in Denmark, she decided to move to the US to build a career here. In 1950, at the age of 24, she traveled alone by ship to New York where an uncle and aunt were willing to sponsor her. Recognized for her skills, she was quickly employed at McCalls Magazine to develop recipes in their test kitchen. At this time, McCalls was just beginning to go from photo illustration to actual photography, so Birthe was given the opportunity to become a “food stylist” for the photo images accompanying her recipes. She was also used as a hand model to demonstrate techniques. Birthe loved her work and living in New York, but after a year, she decided to return to her family in Denmark to find employment there. Unable to fulfill her career aspirations in Denmark, Birthe returned to the US, this time to the west coast. She arrived in Los Angeles, with a glowing letter of recommendation from the editor at McCalls and was immediately hired at Sunkist. She moved in to an apartment in Hollywood with three other young women and quickly found best friends, career and the man she would marry.
In 1957, Birthe, the quiet, polite and demure Danish girl married Art Foreman, and found herself part of a new family of loud, opinionated, strong willed Americans of Russian Jewish decent. Birthe and Art’s paths had crossed once before in Stockholm and it felt like fate brought them back together. Although at the beginning of their marriage, she felt like an outsider in this family, as time passed she became respected, loved and appreciated for all her talents, especially her hospitality and delicious cooking. Birthe created a home where friends and family gathered.
Birthe and Art became parents to three children in the early 60’s. Having three babies in cloth diapers at the same time could rattle the strongest of spirit, but Birthe was unfazed by these challenges and adored being a mother. She created deep, loving, and lifelong connections with each of her children.
Birthe’s career took off and she freelanced as a food stylist for still photography, and TV commercials, both taped and live. Her artistic skill, patience, calm, organization and unflappable personality made her a favorite to work with. She was the food stylist and the hand model for live TV commercials during the Art Linkletter Show, and later prepared and arranged the food during the “Cooking with Dinah” segments on the Dinah Shore show. Her skills, charm and professionalism kept her busy working for the next 40 years. Not only did she love her career, but she loved teaching her skills to up and coming stylists. She was someone you could call and ask for advice in times of need - always willing to share her trade secrets.
Missing her Danish family, Birthe traveled home to Denmark yearly. Family was very important to her and living so far from them was difficult. She tried to give her children the same love for Denmark that she had by teaching them about Danish culture, foods, and traditions. The fact that her daughter and granddaughter have bonded with family in Denmark meant the world to her.
In 1995, after a long and fulfilling career, Birthe retired. In this new era of her life, she kept busy gardening, baking and taking both Ceramics and French classes. Birthe and Art spent their retirement traveling, enjoying their grandchildren, and as always, entertaining friends and family in the house in which they lived for more than 50 years. After Art’s passing in 2015, Birthe moved to Montecito, to be closer to her son’s family in Santa Barbara.
Birthe is survived by her three children, Russel Foreman, Kris Foreman-Swanson and Mark Foreman, their spouses, Adrienne, Scott, and Bridget and her 5 grandchildren, Shaye, Sean, Erika, Amberly and Dylan. Birthe will be remembered for her warm smile, loving spirit, eternal optimism, and her Danish pride. Her hugs and kisses will be missed, forever.