Elizabeth B Lavallee

Elizabeth (Beth) Boncato Lavallee was born in St. Anne Hospital, Manila Philippines (03 April 1963), the 4th of 5 children to Romulo and Anita Boncato. She has two older brothers, Edgar and Rhene, one older sister Marilou (Lulu), and one younger sister Diana (Dana). She spent the first several years in the Phillipines and later grew up in Los Angeles, California with her family where she spent the remainder of her life. She was an LA (Valley) girl through the 70’s and 80’s. However, no matter how long she spent stateside, she never lost her love and appreciation of the islands as many of those who met her would attest to. She truly was an Island Girl at heart and spent copious time performing Polynesian/Hawaiian dance with her two sisters and solo over the many years of her life. Many would readily claim she was a Hawaiian, Guamanian, Pinay or other exotic beauty.

Beth was also a singer. At twelve years old, she performed on stage in front of hundreds of people at the International Festival in McArthur Park, Los Angeles. While In Los Angeles she attended Thomas Starr King Junior High and Belmont High school, where she met several life long friends and the self-proclaimed love of her life, the free-spirited Cameron Lavallee, whom she married on October 19, 1991. She loved arts and crafts and had her first taste of entrepreneurship selling some of her creations. This later branched into sales of Jafra cosmetics and Cookie Lee Jewelry. She loved the outdoors and spiritual endeavors pursuing and attaining certification as a Yogi, and starting her own business as Yoga Circa owner/instructor.

While attending high school she had a part time job @KFC a taste she kept fondly unto her final days. Beth loved international foods & was a foodie throughout her entire life. Motivated by her Father, she showed early aptitude in typing which landed her first summer job working for DMV in Santa Monica, CA. This along with her business sense set her up for success at Bank of Tokyo and Sumitomo Bank. Her zest for achievement was enriched as she became an Executive Secretary at “Unocal 76” and subsequently landed positions at law firms like “Blakely, Sokoloff, Taylor, and Zaffman” where she excelled as a Paralegal and later went to UCLA Extension where she received her Paralegal degree specializing in Intellectual Property & Copy Rights concluding in a role at Herbal Life.

She loved travel and covered many areas across the globe such as England, Europe, and Asia. She traveled the United States as well, North Carolina, Hawaii, Louisiana, and Latin American cruises. She followed in the footsteps of her father’s philanthropical sense by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude Cancer Hospital for Children and No Kill LA for abandoned, abused & rejected cats & dogs. Also, as a Humanitarian, Beth helped & provided food, shelter and assistance to the poor and needy & others World Wide. She would also support distant relatives through Christmas and Easter fiestas and other birthday celebrations.

Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband of 28 years, Cameron; her mother Annie, & her father Romy. Beth is survived by her son Blair, her daughter in law Ania, her granddaughter Camilla, her brothers, Edgar Boncato & Rhene Boncato, her sisters, Marilou (Lulu) Boncato-Kozak, Diana (Dana) Hopper, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews & countless relatives in the U.S. & around the globe.

Beth lived in Southern California nearly all her life, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, and in her final years, she moved to a lake house in beautiful Big Bear Lake. Beth was an active member of St Peter Claver parish. Always a fighter, she tried her best to beat the illness that took her and was blessed by Loving care from her family that lived with her and nearby. Due to the phenomenal care provided by Maggie Boncato the Lord allowed extended time with us.

Beth passed away peacefully at home during evening prayers surrounded by her loving family on January 20, 2025 at the age of 61.