Chris' story
Christine (Chris) Omoto Beezley, DVM, aged 56, was a successful and widely loved veterinarian in the South Bay for over 25 years.
A diminutive woman with a formidable presence – Chris demanded exceptional performance from herself, as well as those around her. But underneath her sometimes gruff exterior, Chris demonstrated boundless kindness and caring for her animals, and was capable of fierce loyalty and love to her human friends. Chris never catered to her clients, who ceded ownership of their pets to her. Among the most dreaded questions that a client could get from Chris was, “What have you done to my dog/cat?”
Quick to laugh – she has been the best audience her friends and colleagues could hope for. She could entertain for hours with her ability to make the ordinary foibles of her daily life a seemly endless stream of comedic misadventures, in recent years typically starring her youngest daughter Shayne or her husband, Randy.
Born Christine Momi Nagasawa on October 4, 1950 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Chris' childhood was a happy time of going to school barefoot (she felt sorry for the kids with money who were forced by their parents to wear shoes) and summers at her Grandparents' home on Lanai where she enjoyed her Grandfather's many acres of flowers.
At 13, Chris spent a summer in Los Angeles with an aunt, where she discovered to her amazement and delight that one could have a job as a doctor for animals. She chose her career at this time, and pursued and led that life with a passion few experience.
Chris “grew up” in a bowling alley owned by her parents, and has retained a love and skill for the game, enjoying the annual family bowl for Sunshine Kids at the Gable House.
Chris attended Farrington High School, where she represented the school and Hawaii as Girl's State Governor, in Jr Miss, at national Speech competitions and served as class president, ROTC Bridgade Sponsor, and page editor for the student newspaper.
Chris married Roy Omoto in 1969 and gave birth to her first child, Paige Alea Omoto on September 12, 1973. Resuming her education, Chris graduated with a B.S. in Animal Science from UH and, raising Paige as a single mother, Chris attended Vet School at Colorado St, where she received her DVM on May 16, 1981.
Chris then came to LA to build a legacy of dedication to her animals and their human guardians. Her second daughter, Quinn Malia Omoto, was born on January 28, 1982. After years of seeking the right life companion, she found him in Randall Scott Beezley, PhD. Chris and Randy were married in their home in the Hollywood Riviera on July 21, 1991 and blessed with Shayne Maia Beezley, on December 24, 1991.
After several years working in Gardena, Chris settled in at The Village Pet Clinic in the Riviera Village, where her practice thrived. She was the 1985 SCVMA President.
Over the years, Chris became the friend of many rescue organizations and cared for the K-9 dogs from Redondo Beach, PVE and Gardena Police Departments as well as the US Customs and Border Patrol. She would take on a seemingly endless stream of stray animals brought to her clinic. Clients were frequently introduced to her special cat or dog of the day, week or month – depending on how long it took restore them to health and place them into a home.
Friends are forever discovering that Chris had abilities which no one would have expected. She loved Doo-Wop – and sang a mean version of Marvin and Johnny’s Cherry Pie. If her command of a song’s lyrics was less than absolute, she sang the words she knew with abandon.
Chris’ ability to find the right home for the right animal is legendary – such as matching a grey, female tabby to a client who was searching for a male Siamese cat. Perhaps as a result of her success with animals, she also fancied herself a Yenta, though was somewhat less successful with human matchmaking.
An avid Dancing with the Stars fan, Chris was able to point out every contestant’s stylistic and technical failures. Her own ballroom dancing efforts with Randy were somewhat spotty, a second career cut short by their knees less willing than their hearts.
For 6 years, Chris battled the cancer that never defined her, and certainly never beat her. Always devoted to her craft, she did take more time away in recent years, including trips to England, Austria, Italy, and Greece. When, on March 20, 2007, she learned her cancer had spread to her brain, she knew it was finally time to hang up her stethoscope and focus on this final phase of life.
She was cared for in her home by Randy, with the love and support of her family and the many friends, clients and colleagues whose lives she touched.
A celebration of Chris’ life is planned and will be announced soon on this website. The Village Pet Clinic will also have details. Information on contributing to a charitable Fund in her name is available on the Guest Book page and in the Journal entries, as well as TVPC.