Obituaries : * Marian Knox Bechtelheimer; Oldest Twin in U.S.
- Share via
Marian Knox Bechtelheimer, one of the twins acknowledged earlier this year by the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest living identical twins in the United States, has died.
Bechtelheimer died of pneumonia late Monday at the Golden State Care Home in Chatsworth. She was 100.
Marian Elise and Mary Elizabeth Lamb were born March 11, 1895, in Santa Barbara, where they spent their childhood. When they were 13, their mother, who was expecting another child, tripped while going downstairs; both she and the unborn baby died.
An aunt and a housekeeper finished the job of raising the twins, who eventually graduated from Ventura High School.
Bechtelheimer married twice. She and her first husband, Ted W. Knox, were among the San Fernando Valley’s early settlers, building an 80-acre ranch on Fallbrook Avenue in Owensmouth, now called Canoga Park. Her second husband, Wayne Bechtelheimer, was the San Fernando Valley’s first pharmacist.
Bechtelheimer was a founding member of the Owensmouth Women’s Club and was also active in church and school affairs.
“It’s just amazing that she and her sister lived so long, because they didn’t follow any rules,” said Bechtelheimer’s daughter, Peggy Knox Eggleston of Agoura Hills. “Even in the nursing home, they [staff] said she would take three or four desserts and pour sugar over all of them.”
According to Eggleston, her mother was delighted by the attention that comes with passing the century mark--such as the Guinness honor and seeing herself on the segment of “The Today Show” in which Willard Scott spotlights centenarians. Her excitement, however, was tempered by the realization that she had outlived all of her friends.
In addition to her daughter, Bechtelheimer is survived by her twin, Mary Elizabeth Sheridan of Santa Barbara; a son, Ted White Knox Jr. of Northridge; a brother, Robert Lamb of Camarillo; 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
There will be no services. Burial will be at sea. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
