Beatrice Shirley ‘Bea’ Epsten

October 3, 1928 - November 25, 2020

LA JOLLA — Beatrice “Bea” Shirley Epsten died peacefully in her sleep on November 25, 2020. Bea was born on October 3, 1928, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, to Philip and Jennie Aliber.

Raised in Greenfield, Bea’s childhood was filled with wonderful New England memories, visiting family in nearby Keene, New Hampshire, together with her younger brother Gilbert Aliber. Bea Aliber enjoyed a full and happy childhood playing outdoor sports, including downhill skiing, riding horses, and field hockey. After graduating from Stoneleigh Burnham School for girls in 1946, Bea attended Rockford University in Illinois. It was there she met the love of her life on a blind double date. She told her roommate, I’ll take the tall one”. He was Robert M. Epsten (Bob), who was attending Medical School in Chicago. Bea Aliber and Dr. Robert M. Epsten were married on June 20, 1948, in Greenfield, Mass and soon after began their married life in Bob’s hometown of San Diego, CA.

Bea and Bob settled in the Point Loma area raising three children, Andrea, Rob, and Jon. Family weekends at the Kona Kai Club and fishing on their boat were a big part of her life.

The family enjoyed many memorable Sunday family dinners at nearby restaurant favorites Family Tree, Chuck Wagon, and Oscars.

While Bob was growing his medical practice, Bea was busy raising her three children. She enjoyed socializing and playing cards but always found time to give back to her community. Philanthropy was always important to Bea, and she served with great distinction on the Boards of two of her favorites, The San Diego Symphony and The Old Globe Theatre.

She dedicated herself unselfishly to those organizations and was recognized by the Salvation Army as a Woman of Elegance in 1975. She was a member of Congregation Beth Israel and Temple

Emanu-el and a supporter throughout her life to many other charitable organizations, including The San Diego Hebrew Homes, Seacrest Foundation, and The Birch Aquarium.

Bea loved traveling and exploring the globe with Bob and often with the entire family. She planned her trips around the world meticulously, creating many wonderful family memories. Bea loved her daily walks with Bob through the village of La Jolla and along the beach. Bea and Bob could be seen holding hands, their love and devotion for each other always apparent.

Family was everything to Bea. Her greatest joy was being with her family. She was affectionately nicknamed ”HONEY” by her grandchildren.

Bea will always be remembered for her stunning beauty and elegance, her zest for life, her love and devotion for Bob and her immediate and extended family, and the love and respect she instilled in her children and grandchildren.

Bea’s family would like give a special thank you to all of her caregivers who took care of her at home, and the staff at the Katzin Memory Care at Seacrest Village, for their love, kindness, and compassion.

Bea was predeceased by her loving husband of 68 years, Dr. Robert M. Epsten, Sr., in 2017, and her beloved son, Dr. Robert M. Epsten, Jr., in 2019.

Bea is survived by her children Andrea (Richard) Kaplan, Jon (Mary) Epsten, and daughter-in-law Dorothy Epsten; grandchildren Bryan (Jenny) Kaplan, Michael (Rebecca) Epsten, Alana (Jared) Ziman, Emily (Gabe) Callaway, and Dana Epsten; greatgrandchildren Evan, Aiden, Natalie, Adam, and Sydney; brother, Gilbert (Phyllis ) Aliber and sisterin-law Lynn Epsten; nieces and nephews Steven Epsten, Ellen Epsten, Jennifer Dannin, Jeffrey Aliber; and many greatnieces and nephews.

Services were held on November 29 with immediate family. Donations in Bea’s memory may be made to Seacrest Foundation in Encinitas , The Rabbi Marty and Anita Lawson Endowment Fund at Temple Emanu-el San Diego , Congregation Beth Israel San Diego or the Old Globe Theatre.

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