Laureen J. Bega

Laureen Burger Young Bega Age 79 passed away on Tuesday August 24 at Kaiser Hospital, Fremont. She was waiting to have surgery when her heart failed. She was born April 13, 1938 in Los Angeles, CA. Parents were Robert and Grayce Burger. The family came up to the Bay Area when Laureen (Laurie) was 12 years old. She graduated from San Leandro High School and attended San Jose State University, studying Office Management. After years of office work she became an Airline Stewardess working for TIA airlines - a position she just loved and became the center of her life. She adored the travel and all aspects of her position. Later in life, she returned to office life where she loved the work and especially the people. When she made a friendship it would last a lifetime. She always kept in contact with her friends, even maintaining her friendships with her junior high and high school friends. She loved travel, and the words departure and arrival were inherent in her vocabulary, witnessed by the many cruises that took her around the world. Her married life also included recreational camping in her motorhome. Membership in the Fremont Elks and several RV clubs kept her busy, happy and active. Her hobby of knitting allowed for every new born child in her sphere of friend, when born, to be wrapped in an Auntie Laurie baby blanket. When she was not knitting for babies, knitting scarves for her friends was an on- going ritual. Slowing down in her last few years sparked an interest in the nature of birds, squirrels and her well - loved granddog. She spent many hours enjoying their antics while they frolicked around the back yard. Not having any children of her own, she was blessed to have 4 stepchildren, 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren who she dearly loved. Of course the grandchildren quickly took over her attention as they presented themselves in the family. As knowledge of her death surfaced, an example of her parenting legacy was being expressed best by her stepdaughter and step granddaughter. Daughter Shelley referred to her always as her “Bonus Mom”. Granddaughter Marisa posted: This evening, I gained a new guardian angel in heaven. I’ll miss you Grandma. I will succeed in life because YOU placed that courageous spirit of yours within me all my life. You may have not been my biological grandmother, but you were my grandmother by choice, and accepted Mark and I with open arms. I am so happy and grateful to have been raised by such a unique lady like you. I want you to know that I’ll be okay. Thank You Grandma Laureen. I love you! On Wednesday, September 6, there will be a Celebration of Life at the Elks Lodge in Fremont from 11:00 am -2:00 pm. A Memorial Ritual will be performed by the Officers of the Fremont Elks and a brunch and fellowship will follow. In remembrance of Laurie’s love of animals, in lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to your charity of choice. Laurie is being cremated and entombed with her parents at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland at a short, small family service at the crypt.