The Los Angeles Dodgers lost an important member of their family on Saturday with the passing of longtime Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley.
“The Dodgers are saddened by the passing of longtime Dodger Stadium organist Nancy Bea Hefley, who delighted millions of fans for nearly 30 years,” the team said in a statement. “We send our condolences and best wishes to her friends and family.”
Hefley was an integral member of the Dodger Stadium experience for the crowd over the course of her nearly 30-year career and was a fan favorite for many. After 28 years with the Dodgers, she retired at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
Hefley grew up in the L.A. area and played for more than 55 years at Bellflower Baptist Church.
She took over for the previous Dodgers organist Helen Dell when she retired in 1987. Hefley’s first experience performing at a baseball game was as a substitute organist for the Angels. She auditioned for the full-time the position with the Dodgers on Valentine’s Day in 1988, at an exhibition game between against the USC Trojans baseball team.
From 1971-2015, Dell and Hefley were the only two organists ever employed by the Dodgers, covering 45 seasons at Dodger Stadium.
Beginning in 2013, Dieter Ruehle occasionally filled in for Hefley at Dodger Stadium and eventually took over full-time as her successor beginning in 2016.
Nancy Bea Hefley honored by Dodgers
In 2013, Hefley and 85 other longtime Dodgers employees were honored by the organization for completing 25 or more years of service.
She stood alongside names like Tommy Lasorda, Vin Scully, Jaime Jarrín and many other Dodgers icons in a ceremony on the field prior to a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks during that season.
The Dodgers have long recognized employees for their service with the organization at home game each season.
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