Beatrice "Bebe" Mary Ullman

into eternal life, on the Feast of the Annunciation, and was reunited with her beloved

husband, “Woody”, and with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior .

She was a strong, adventurous, and independent leader of our ‘Ohana, and the

organizations to which she belonged. It was part of her DNA! She was a direct

descendant of the many prominent leaders of Hawai’i, tracing her blood line back to the

1700s, with Ali’i Chief- Kalaniho’oulumokuikekai; Oliver Holmes— third governor of

O’ahu appointed by King Kamehameha ; Great-grandfather Robert Grimes Davis—

Peruvian Consul General and Associate Justice of the Kingdom of Hawai’i; Greatgrand

Uncle William Heath Davis,Jr.—original visionary in developing a major

commercial, shipping and residential seaport naming it “New Town San Diego”;

Grandfather James A. King, Interior Minister following the overthrow of the monarchy;

and Uncle Samuel Wilder King, first governor of Hawaiian descent, Territory of Hawai’i.

With this bloodline from those who came before her, and with the grace from God,

she was able to overcome many obstacles and lived a very fruitful and productive 100

years.

Her parents, Daniel and Nancy King , raised 7 children on the King homestead in

rural O’ahu . Mother was the third oldest. Her love of music and dance began early, and

at the age of 3, she performed the hula while her older sister, Helen, picked up the coins

thrown by an adoring audience. When her mother heard that classmates teased her by

calling her, “Beat Rice”, her mother began to call her, “ Bebe”!

In 1939, after her father’s untimely death, she and her sister, Betty, had to work to

pay the bills and keep their 3 brothers at Punahou School. Mother worked at the

pineapple cannery and was an usherette at the Waikiki Theater. While at the theater,

composer R. Alex Anderson, asked her to introduce his new song, “ Lovely Hula

Hands”. (The first dance Mother taught her 3&5 year old daughters. ) Other jobs included

professional ballroom dancing at the Royal Hawaiian, singing with the USO Band, dance

instructor, and assignment manager at Hawaiian Telephone Company.

When Pearl Harbor was attacked, the innocence of island-life ended. The world

she knew, came to a screeching halt. But as that door closed, a window opened in 1946

with a blind date with Wallace “Woody” Ullman. He was a Navy Chief and a Pearl Harbor

survivor who was stationed there. They married in 1947 and Mother’s adventurous spirit

kicked in, as she left her homeland to start a new life. It was in her DNA! Coming from a

small island to the continent was overwhelming, but soon she adjusted to San

Francisco, San Diego and finally to Chula Vista and their home of 68 years.

Bebe and Woody were partners in every sense of the word. Their marriage thrived

for nearly 58 years until his passing in 2005.They worked hard, played hard, and were

faithful servants of God. In the mid-1950s, their generous stewardship helped build St.

Pius X Catholic Church in Chula Vista. Mother was in the choir for many years and

helped with the variety shows. She also directed shows for the Warrant Officers

Association, Nautical Club, Fleet Reserve, and Elks Lodge 2011. Woody was always

there helping with the lights and music. For decades, the Elks Lodge raised significant

funds for its charities . The casts came from within the organizations as members,

spouses, and children became more like a big family over the years. The Lodge’s

Polynesian shows rivaled those of Hawai’i and were always sold out. Many Lodges

throughout San Diego requested B.P.O.E.2011 to entertain at their luaus.

The Ullmans were blessed with friends at the Church of the Most Precious Blood.

Mother was in the Wednesday craft group creating quilts and other articles to sell at

fundraisers. And nearly every Saturday afternoon (for almost 40 years) she prayed in

the Adoration Chapel . She had her favorite pew at 7:30 Mass and enjoyed breakfast

afterwards with close friends.

Celebrating Bebe’s amazing 100+ years and legacy are:

Pearl Kalikolehua Ault ( Bebe’s sister and 9th birthday present!)

Lorraine Blank ( sister-in-law)

Daughters: Betty Anne( James) Stewart, Nancy ( John) Strauss

Grandchildren: James( Elizabeth)Stewart, Kathryn( Mark) Iammartino

John( Danita) Stewart, Robert( Brooke) Strauss

Renee Stewart, Billy Stewart, Bobbi( Samuel) Snowden,

Philip Strauss, Mariette( Brendan) Hoelmer

Great Grandchildren:Kaylyn, Kaili, Kiana, Alice, Thomas, Bennett, Charles,

Samantha, Mason

Representing King ‘Ohana: Niece Nancy Eleanor King

Beloved nephews, nieces, caring neighbors, parishioners, and

hundreds of friends!

In celebration of her life, Hawaiian heritage, her love of flowers, bright colors, and

hats…….tropical attire is encouraged…… as we bid “ aloha oe….. until we meet again”