Beatrice Permut was born on September 25, 1911, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in a household where education was paramount. It was expected that all the children would pursue higher education after high school, no exceptions.

Bea lived up to those expectations and more: she graduated as valedictorian of her high school, then went on to business school, mastering typing, shorthand, bookkeeping, and accounting.
Bea love beautiful clothes. As she once said, “I never had an outfit without a matching hat!” Working in office environments gave her the perfect stage to showcase her collection of elegant suits and coordinated accessories.

Bea met my father, Larry Schatz, in her early twenties. But she wasn’t in a rush to settle down, she loved her independence, her work, and traveling. They eventually married in 1939, when she was 28. Bea gave birth to Howard in 1940, Charles in 1942, and I—Lisa—many years later.

Tragedy struck when Charles was only three. A young boy accidentally shot an arrow that pierced Charles’ left eye. Bea stood fiercely by his side through countless surgeries over the years, determined to preserve his remaining vision. It was a time of deep sadness for our family, but Bea never let adversity define our story.

With Larry often away on business, Bea juggled her job and home life with remarkable resolve, creating a stable, loving environment for her children. She stayed true to her belief in education: all three of us graduated from college. Howard and Charles became successful physicians, and I found my path as an interior designer and actress.

Bea passed away in 1995. She was truly a woman ahead of her time—resilient, elegant, and extraordinarily strong.

Lisa Glinsky