Patti Beems came to Pasadena with her parents in 1930 to perform at the age of four in the Warner Brothers motion picture, "Back Street" and developed into one of the most popular soprano soloists of the "big band" era.

Miss Beems, 44, died February 2, 1973 after a prolonged illness in South Pasadena where she had lived in semi-retirement for the past few years.  Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Beems, of her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, lived in Pasadena until they died some months ago.  Miss Beems leaves no survivors.

Winner of a CBS talent contest on the Don Ameche radio show, she was soprano soloist with Fred Waring and his famed Pennsylvanians band from 1954 to 1961.  In 1953 she sang at the festivities attending the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth in London.

During the years at the height of her career, Miss Beems was soloist with the famed Roger Wagner Chorale as well as the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Dr. Richard Lert.  During her many-faceted career, Patti sang with Lauritz Melchior on a night club tour and portrayed the life of Lotte Lehman on the legitimate stage, titled "Of Opera, Song and Life," and received the Lotte Lehman scholarship fund.  She also co-starred in "Hansel and Gretel" with the Los Angeles Opera Guild.

A soloist and choir member at All Saints Episcopal Church from 1948 to 1954, Miss Beems was a graduate of South Pasadena High School and then of Occidental College.

Pasadena Star-News, February 4, 1973