New London, N.H. —
Heidi, as she was known, was born in Milwaukee to German immigrant parents. She attended the University of Wisconsin ‘50, majored in Journalism and met her husband, Andy ‘48. They married in 1950 and initially settled in Milwaukee, and had their first two children, Mark and Andrea. The youngest two, Nancy and Christine were born in Glencoe, Illinois. In 1961, the family moved and settled in Darien, Conn. and led a busy and fulfilling life there until their retirement. For several years, Heidi served as a Girl Scout leader for her three daughters. She was active with St. Luke’s Church and the League of Women Voters and wrote news releases for them. When her children were older, she got a masters degree and taught math at Roton Middle School in Norwalk, Conn. for nearly 20 years.
Heidi and Andy, with their active lifestyle and love of the great outdoors, mountains and lakes, built a retirement home in New London, and moved there in 1988. They quickly embraced the community, made friends, and their home became a cherished family gathering place.
Heidi had a lifelong love of music, and she instilled it in her children as well. She sang in the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church Choir and the Kearsarge Chorale. Heidi was an accomplished pianist, and a regular attendee of the Boston Symphony and simulcast performances of the Metropolitan Opera. With her journalistic prowess, she wrote for Adventures in Learning, a senior education program in New London. At their hillside home, Heidi was an avid gardener, and she took great pride in completing the weekly Sunday N.Y. Times crossword puzzle.
But her great passion was her family, beginning with her husband Andy, who died in 2004 after 54 years of marriage. She rejoiced in the lives and accomplishments of her children and grandchildren, and eagerly awaited the arrival of her great-grandson. Especially in her later years, she was unfailingly curious, gracious, and grateful – for life and love, which were both fully evident at the very end.
Heidi is survived by Mark Beckwith and wife, Marilyn Olson of South Orange, N.J.; Andrea Beckwith Johns and husband, Jeff of Hollis, N.H.; Nancy Beckwith Havel and husband, Peter of Marion, Mass.; and Christine Beckwith Bensley and husband, Chris of Andover, Mass.; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
A memorial service of thanksgiving will be held at St. Andrew’s Church, 52 Gould Road, New London on Saturday, March 25 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Andrew’s Episcopal Church summer music camp.
To sign an online guestbook please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.