Sandra Beck

Sandra Beck of Waterford, VT passed away at home surrounded by family early Friday evening, August 19, 2016 at the age of 71 after a long battle with cancer and respiratory illness.

She was born in Hanover, New Hampshire on Nov. 26, 1944, the daughter of Vane and Marjorie (Wyman) Burrington of St. Johnsbury, VT.  Sandie grew up in St. Johnsbury and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1962. She graduated from Middlebury College in 1966 with a BA in Mathematics.

Sandie married her high school sweetheart Brent Beck on June 29, 1966, and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with loved ones at the family camp on Miles Pond. Immediately after being married, Sandie and Brent located to Pensacola, FL for Naval Aviator training. For 27 years Sandie was a loyal Navy wife, spending varying periods of time living in Pensacola, FL (2) Meridian, MS (2), Kingsville, TX, Brunswick, GA, Alameda, CA, Detroit, MI, Oak Harbor, WA, and Annandale, VA (2).

In addition to raising three active sons during Brent’s numerous Navy deployments, Sandie was an accomplished entrepreneur and educator. During their time in Oak Harbor, WA Sandie started her own Montessori School in 1974 with the intent of giving her youngest son the same Montessori experience her older twin sons had in Detroit. She owned and operated it for eight years until they left Oak Harbor, and it is still in operation today. Sandie also taught mathematics at the middle school and college level at various locations throughout the country.

In 1993, upon retirement from the Navy, Sandie and Brent returned to Vermont to live their retirement years in Waterford. Sandie was active in the area and spent considerable time volunteering with the North Congregational Church, St. Johnsbury Country Club (serving as President of the Ladies Association), Kiwanis (where she was the treasurer), and Waterford School District Board. She also continued her working career as an accountant for the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury. Sandie enjoyed golf, particularly the 9 and 18 ladies holers group. Above all, Sandie enjoyed spending time with her ten grandchildren and actively participating in their lives.

Sandie’s parents, Vane and Marjorie Burrington predeceased her. She is survived by her husband, Brent Beck of Waterford, VT, sister Sally Jean Stewart of Burlington, VT, and stepmother Lois Burrington of Rutland, VT. Sandie has three married sons; Scott and Joelle Beck of St. Johnsbury and their children: Camden, Reagan, MacKenzie, Callahan, Braeden, and Gehrig; Tom Beck and Mei-Ling Beck of Larkspur, CA and their children: Thomas II (TJ) and Tyler; Brent Beck II and Hossay Beck of Fairfax County, VA and their children: Adam and Zander; Brothers and Sisters-in-law, Jon and Diane Beck of St. Johnsbury and Craig and Shirley Beck of Passumpsic, VT; Sandie is also survived by many nephews and nieces: Jamie and Judith Haselton and Jonathan Stewart, Gary Beck and Alicia Blake, Carrie Verville and Crissie Devenger.

Sandie’s family especially wants to thank the many friends and members of the medical community who helped sustain her during her illness or sent encouraging words of support.

Services will be held in St. Johnsbury on Wednesday, August 24th at 2 p.m. at the United Community Church (formerly North Congregational Church) on Main St. with the Rev. Joan Vincent, interim pastor, officiating assisted by former pastor, the Rev. Jay Sprout.

Memorial contributions should be directed to the care of St. Johnsbury Kiwanis, PO Box  204 St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.saylesfh.com