Helen Eileen Beardsley, whose life with a brood of 20 children inspired a best-selling book and a movie starring Lucille Ball, died Wednesday in Healdsburg at the age of 70. Soon, he received a missive from Helen North. In 1982 Playhouse drama Aubrey, written by John Selwyn Gilbert, Mabel was portrayed by actress Rula Lenska. Helen North Beardsley died in 2000 in Healdsburg, Calif., and Frank Beardsley survives. The number of the house in Buckingham Road was 12, but the numbers were changed, and it is now 31. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Helen-Eileen-Beardsley-20-Children-Kept-Her-2762103.php, Calif. virus hospitalizations could surge in next month. She wrote a book, Who Gets the Drumstick?, about her blended family's experiences. The movie's scenes of Ball in false eyelashes, with her slip showing in a bar, were not derived from Mrs. Beardsley's life, Murphy said. [2][3] Her father, Vincent Paul Beardsley (1839–1909), was the son of a tradesman; Vincent had no trade himself, however, and instead relied on a private income from an inheritance that he received from his maternal grandfather when he was 21. pg. As a mother of eight children, the then-Mrs. North was widowed in 1960. What: Tom North will be the keynote speaker at the CASA of Monterey County Annual Friends Luncheon. The rosary will be recited tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Daniels Chapel of the Roses, 1225 Sonoma Ave., Santa Rosa. [4] Vincent's wife, Ellen Agnus Pitt (1846–1932), was the daughter of Surgeon-Major William Pitt of the Indian Army. Dennis L. Taylor has reported on diverse issues for three decades in the San Francisco and Monterey bay areas, including 10 years in the Silicon Valley business press covering venture capital and technology investments. Mrs. Beardsley pursued her desire for an independent career in 1973, taking the first of several jobs in the medical field. In 1963, Beardsley adopted Mrs. Beardsley's eight children in the biggest mass adoption to date in California. When Beardsley retired from the Navy in 1968, the couple opened three bakeries in the Monterey area. Who's succeeding against the coronavirus and why, SF announces $28M in COVID-19 support for Latino community, 2 charged for handling of outbreak at vets home where 80 died, Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, An upcoming nitrile glove shortage could be the next crisis, What masks to wear during the Bay Area wildfires, California virus hospitalizations could surge in next month, Crazy photo shows San Francisco's raccoon problem, Trump administration rescinded 'Courage Award' for woman who criticized Trump and gave false explanation for decision, watchdog finds, Caution: A Housing Crisis Could Be Coming for These 10 Cities, One SF neighborhood sees 75% increase in burglaries, Trump Selects Amy Coney Barrett to Fill Ginsburg's Seat on the Supreme Court, California braces for power shutoffs and warm, windy weekend, Vietnamese police to investigate condom recycling factory, Graham begs Fox News viewers in unusual plea for campaign cash, Elin Nordegren Scoops Up Palm Beach Gardens Compound for $10M. Life. Helen Brandmeir was born in Seattle and studied nursing at Seattle University before marrying Lt. Richard Dale North in 1949. The book blatantly acknowledges that he's only telling one side of the story; there's not a single specific reference to a biological Beardsley child, not even half-siblings Joe and Helen. Mrs. Beardsley is survived by her husband, Francis; 20 children, Michael Beardsley, Rusty Beardsley, Gregory Beardsley, Rosemary Beardsley-Dorn, Louise Ingram, Colleen Powell, Janette North, Mary Beardsley, Nicholas North, Susan Bazsuly, Thomas Beardsley, Veronica Rothgeb, Jean Murphy, Phillip North, Germaine Anderson, Gerry North, Joanie Rodewald, Teresa Wyble, Joseph Beardsley and Helen Beardsley; 44 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and eight siblings, Mary Miniter, Jane Brandmeir, Robert Brandmeir, Rita Daubensteck, Frank Brandmeir, Jack Brandmeir, Sister Patricia Brandmeir and Kathleen Hartman.