Obituary

On January 13, 2024, Mary passed away peacefully, with her family at her side. Upbeat, quick-witted, highly expressive, and intensely interested in other people until the end, Mary would flash her big smile as soon as she spotted a visitor coming across the room and intently wave them over. While her family actively cheered her on to the 100-year milestone, Mary chose to leave a few weeks early, when she was ready. She was cherished by her entire family and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandma and friend.

Mary was orphaned as an infant in Napa, California and grew up in boarding schools, along with her three brothers and one sister. Even as a young child, it was apparent Mary was a gifted student. She was the first member of her family to attend university, graduating first from Dominican College (now Dominican University of California) in 1945. Mary did graduate work at Stanford University and received her MA in English there in 1947. While teaching in Northern California in 1950, Mary made a summer visit to Alaska and was immediately impressed with the beauty and splendor of Ketchikan. She was offered an editing job at the Alaskan Sportsman Magazine and stayed the remainder of that summer, where she met and fell in love with George (Bud) Beck.

Mary and Bud married on June 16, 1951 in San Rafael, California and Mary moved to Alaska, where she resided for the next 60 years. That same year her father-in-law, George H. Beck, became mayor of Ketchikan. As a young couple, Mary and Bud were members of Cirque Club and attended dances and social events with their friends. They raised a family of fourth-generation Alaskans: two sons (Doug and Steve) and one daughter (Katy). Deeply proud of each of her children, Mary’s family was always her highest priority.

In 1954 she was recruited to be one of the first teachers at Ketchikan Community College (which later was part of the University of Alaska) where she taught English literature, composition and French. As an enthusiastic and talented instructor for the nearly 30 years, she positively impacted countless students from all walks of life. Mary retired in 1983 as an Associate Professor with the University of Alaska. In retirement, she and Bud loved boating, wildlife sightseeing, beachcombing, and reading books while enjoying the spectacular view from their home. She contributed several articles on their boating trips to NOR’WESTING magazine and Bud provided the accompanying photographs.

Always interested in learning new things and seeing new places, Mary traveled to Paris, France in 1975 to study at the Sorbonne in a four-week intensive French immersion program. In addition, she traveled to England, Italy, Greece and Turkey in later years. Mary was actively involved in many organizations, including Pioneers of Alaska, Women’s Igloo #7 and PEO Chapter H. Mary championed a college scholarship program for women as part of PEO and also privately established a permanent endowment fund for scholarships with the University of Alaska Foundation, when she retired.

Mary combined her passion for writing with her interest in the Tlingit and Haida cultures to record some of their oral literature tradition in written form. She authored three books on the subject. In 1989 Heroes and Heroines in Tlingit-Haida Legend was published, then in 1991 Shamans and Kushtakas: North Coast Tales of the Supernatural and finally in 1993, Potlatch. She collaborated with two artists on these books: the first was illustrated by Nancy DeWitt, a highly-talented local Ketchikan artist, and the latter two books were illustrated by Marvin Oliver, a renowned Northwest Native Artist and Professor.

Raised by Catholic nuns in California, Mary remained a devout Catholic throughout her life. She taught catechism classes on Sunday at Holy Name Catholic Church and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Catholic Ladies Guild. She co-chaired the committees that planned the building of Holy Name School (1965) and Holy Name Church (1985) on Jackson Street. She served on the first Holy Name School board from 1968-1971 and helped draft the school charter. In 2002, she was recruited to write a formal history of Holy Name Parish and completed the project with her typical enthusiasm and dedication.

In 2009, Mary and Bud moved to Bellevue, Washington and lived at the Gardens at Town Square. When Bud passed away in January, 2012, Mary found comfort in her children and her active life at the Gardens. She worked on the Gardens newsletter and was a key member of the welcoming committee for new residents. She loved her dog Willie, gardening with Steve, frequent visits to the home of Katy and husband Brian, and dinner out with Doug and his wife Linda. Mary was especially thrilled with visits from and shopping trips with her granddaughter Laura, whom she dearly loved.

Mary’s final resting place will be back in Ketchikan. She will join her husband Bud, his parents George H. and Marjorie Beck, and the Rev George James Beck, at Bayview Cemetery.

A Catholic Mass for Mary will be held at Ketchikan Holy Name Church on Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 12:00 noon. All are welcome to join her family in the celebration.