(December 7, 1929 - May 18, 2014) Marjorie Anne (Midge) Gaines was born to parents McIntyre (SPHS 1914) and Lois Shorten (SPHS 1915 Faries of San Marino, California. Midge passed away peacefully after a short illness with her family by her side. A lovely and loving lady full of grace, loyalty, dedication, perseverance, a keen sense of humor, and an all-encompassing heart, she will be dearly missed by her family and friends. 

A resident of Brentwood since 1964, she is survived by her husband of 51 years, John W Gaines, and her beloved sons and grandchildren from her prior marriage:  Milo Bekins III (Maria Ester), granddaughter Vivian Bekins and great-grandson Milo Arce, grandson Esteban Bekins and great-granddaughter Alyssa Bekins; Richard Bekins; Michael Bekins (Hiroko) and grandchildren Sophie Bekins and Kai Bekins; she was predeceased by son John Bekins and survived by daughter-in-law Kate Bekins and grandchildren Elyse Bekins and Milo Bekins. She is also survived by her sister Barbara Faries Simpson (SPHS '42); niece Andrea Simpson and grandnephew Christopher Myrdal; and nephew Eric Simpson (Barbara) and grandniece Katherine and grandnephew Alexander Simpson.

Midge graduated from South Pasadena/San Marino High School, and attended UCLA where she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. Her commitment to community service for over fifty years led her from volunteering to help the blind to serving as past president and present member of the Board of Directors of the Assistance League of Los Angeles. She held a strong belief in the power of children's theater to transform perspectives and lives, and served in many volunteer roles for decades, both as an actress and managerial, with the Nine O'clock Players in Hollywood. She was also a past active member of The Junior League of Los Angeles and managed the family real estate business. She and her husband John were members of the Bel-Air Country Club. 

Los Angeles Times, May 24, 2014