Beatriz Almeraz Encinas

Bea carried herself with steady patience and a quiet humility, yet those who knew her understood she was also a force to be reckoned with—someone whose resolve did not need fanfare to be felt. A natural leader from an early age, she stepped forward with calm strength and a sense of responsibility that would continue to shape her life’s work and the many people who came to rely on her guidance.

Her early years reflected both initiative and service. At Eastman Ave. Elementary School, she served as a Hallway Monitor and volunteered in the school cafeteria. At Stevenson Junior High School, she was Class President. At Garfield High School, she was Senior Year Drill Team Captain and a member of the Girls Softball Team. Her commitment to learning continued through East Los Angeles College A.A. degree (ELAC) as an undergraduate, followed by California State University Long Beach (CSULB) where she earned a B.A. degree in 1978 in Social Work-Community Development and youth emphasis, and California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) where she earned an M.A. Degree-Graduate coursework 1986-Public Administration-Community organization and Research Development emphasis. Bea pursued post graduate studies at Western University Law School – Post graduate certificate (1998), Torts; Commercial and Corporate Law Contracts. Bea was also a recipient of many awards and certificates.

Bea devoted her professional life to supporting students and advancing opportunity through higher education. She worked as Student Services Professional II in Talent Search from 9/1978–8/1981 and again from 9/1981–9/1982. She later served as Student Services Professional III from January 1997–1999, and as Assistant Director of University Outreach (50%), then Student Services Professional III -Director from 1/1997–1999. She went on to serve in the Division of Student Affairs/Student Services as Senior Associate from 8/1999–2006, then as Student Services Professional III-Director from 3/2006–6/2007, continuing in service until her retirement on 12/27/2010. Throughout these years, she was not only a capable administrator, but also a mentor and advocate—steady, principled, and unwavering in her commitment to those she served.

Her sense of advocacy extended beyond the workplace. Bea was an activist for many causes, including serving as a Labor Union representative at CSULA. She also taught Catechism, offering her time and care in the service of faith and community.

Bea loved family and helping others. She enjoyed her automobiles and working on them, loved bike riding and walking, and was always on the go. Her work also took her traveling often, and she met those demands with characteristic stoicism and determination.

Bea was a single woman, the baby sister to Freddy, Aurora and Dan Encinas. She was sister-in-law to Lupe Encinas and Susan Encinas, and an aunt to Justin and Vanessa, Benjamin, Martine, Esteban and Jennifer, Melinda and Melissa, Anastasia and Charlotte, and other cousins, nieces and nephews. Bea loved her mother very much and was very close to—and caring to—her older sister Aurora. Her love and concern extended to the many people whose lives she touched, leaving a legacy of guidance, loyalty, and steadfast support.

With gratitude, the family acknowledges: Susan, Rebeka, (Lucinda, Margaret, & Yvonne) - The Three Musketeers.

Services will be held on August 22, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Church, 740 S Shamrock Ave, Monrovia, CA 91016, US, for a Religious Ceremony from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. A Committal Service will follow at Live Oak Memorial Park, 200 E Duarte Road, Monrovia, CA 91016, US, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Final words remembered: “Cal Mal’te, Big Brother!”