Monica Beck

Monica Beck, died peacefully at home on Friday evening, July 2nd 2004. She was 86 years old. Born in Hong Kong, China on October 23, 1917, she was the daughter of medical missionaries Herbert Gastineau Earle and Audrey Mary Harrison Earle. She lived all over the world both as a child and adult. She attended the Froeble Institute in England, where she received her teaching certificate. She met her husband, Ezra Paul Francis, in Antigua during the Second World War. They traveled with their growing family between England and the states for many years, and finally settled in Goffstown, NH where she has lived for the past 37 years. She taught in many schools, including Selwyn School, in Denton, Texas, Derryfield in NH and High Mowing, also in NH. After raising her children and retiring from teaching she was a tireless volunteer in such organizations as Alanon, Habitat for Humanity, FISH, the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Network, an agency for aid to the shut-in and elderly, Adult Literacy Program, both as tutor and in the House of Correction. She loved children especially, and took great joy in reading to them in Day Care Centers and at Headstart programs. She was honored by the Governer's Office of the State of NH as volunteer with the longest years of service. Deeply spiritual, she was an active member of the Episcopal Church all her life, serving on the Altar Guild and Vestry, as Sunday School Teacher, as Chalice Bearer and Lay Reader, and as a delegate to Convention. She was a Companion of the Holy Cross, and truly lived the life of simplicity to which they aspire. A vegetarian for compassionate reasons, she gave freely of her time, talent and resources, to any organization which helped the marginalized, the poor, or the needy, such as Oxfam, UNICEF, and Amnesty International. She will be remembered, among other things, for her joy in the written and spoken word and for her passionate belief in the healing power of love. She is survived by her children, Alan Beck, of Waltham, MA, Monica Jane Lajoie of Manchester, NH, Tess Beck, of New Haven, CT, Christina Beck, formerly of Alexandria, VA, who was living with her and caring for her at the time of her death, and Lucy Beck, of Weston, CT, her seven grandchildren, and her sister, Barbara Oakley, of England. The funeral will be held at St Matthews Episcopal Church at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, July 6th. A reception will follow in the undercroft of the Church. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice.