Beatrice Wood

Denying reality was easy when Beatrice Wood made a grand entrance at her 105th birthday celebration in Ojai on March 3 (obituary, March 13). True, she was in a wheelchair and her state of health was rather frail. Yet, her inner radiance shone through, and the luminous pottery that she created reflected that same illumination. Beato’s appearance and her appreciative delight in the eclectic gathering was very reassuring and made her passing unexpected.

Beatrice Wood was an exceptional woman who followed her own avant-garde road with an open mind, as well as a caring heart. Her infectious laugh revealed the flirtatious, chocolate-loving girl within that was her essence, which was why she seemed more like 32 than 105. Her spirit lives on and so does her art, but this world is less bright sans Beato’s divine light.

SUSAN CAMPBELL

Los Angeles