Lois Marion Prentice

May 4th 1922~ March 23, 2017

Born in Los Angeles, California

Daughter of Marion (nee Kopp) and Edward Stanley Haymond

Her beloved husband, Jack, passed away last year. She leaves two daughters, Pat (Tom Bassett) and Jan (Jeff Platt) and four grandchildren: Mike, Allison, Chris and Anna Kate.

Lois attended middle and high school in Los Angeles before she attended Woodbury College, studying interior design. Lois was a member of a local sorority; while serving as its president made lifetime friends. She left before graduation due to the Depression, and worked at MGM Studios as an accountant/administrative assistant to the Production Department, where she met her husband, Jack Prentice, who was a “go-fer” on the lot having returned from WWII service as a Navy pilot. His father, Arthur Spaulding Prentice, was known as Art Smith, and was the production manager on many films.

They married, in June of 1947, within about 6 months of their first date. After a honeymoon in San Francisco and a brief stay on a ranch in Visalia owned by the senior Prentices, they moved to Manhattan Beach, into a newly built house—Loie worked as an admin assistant at a local airline, honing her accounting skills, and affording air travel for her parents. Jack went to school in jewelry manufacturing, then worked as an apprentice for a jeweler in Los Angeles—Brock & Co. He then moved to the Donovan & Seaman stores where he soon owned the manufacturing shops. Lois worked on the house, and the garden, with a trademark bed of pansies. She always had an eye for detail and interior spaces.

After ten years and welcoming two children, the family moved to a new home in Rolling Hills. Cars remained an important interest… from a 1950’s MG to a Fiat Abarth Zagato, and a 1950’s Jaguar, always a part of everyday adventures. Lois loved tennis. She enjoyed the friendship of good friends, her “posse”. She was active in many groups –National Charity League, Girl Scouts, served as a docent for local gardens, planned an award winning entry to her Rolling Hills neighborhood, Westfield. She joined a book club. Reading and libraries were always important to her. Lois helped design Jack’s jewelry store and then was a salesperson and office manager, all while raising family.

After her children were off to college and married, Jack and Lois decided to retire early, and closed the very successful jewelry store, and moved to England for a two-year stay, which extended to three years. From there they were able to travel even further afield, to Greece, Egypt, and other parts of Europe.

After returning, they chose to move to Carmel in Northern California, where they could enjoy the aesthetics of a small artistic community. Soon they were involved in the start of The Cottage Society, the mission of which was to preserve Carmel’s small unique cottages that were threatened by developers and those who loved the location, but not the small cottages. They renovated three homes while living in Carmel. Lois was active in the library, in the Cottage Society, and the Concours –where their cars were standouts, even when not featured.

Lois was the main designer of a style that defined their own “Pink Shack” cottage, and her critical eye was quite respected. She pretty much made Jack’s life everything he could have imagined, from a beautiful home, splendid adventures, flying a Stearman, and made possible anything else he wished to do…she remained a unique and good companion. Her caregivers all loved her wit, and depth of interest in all things.

Arrangements under the direction of Turner & Stevens Live Oak Mortuary, Monrovia, CA.