ALBANY – Grace E. Beck, 74, of Albany, NY, died unexpectedly at her home on December 13, 2019.
Grace was born and raised in Troy, NY, daughter of the late Carl E. and Grace L. Beck. She was a 1964 graduate of Albany Academy for Girls and then Nasson College in Sanford, ME, with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. While at Nasson, she sang in the school’s Glee Club and served as their pianist. She later received a master’s degree in education from Russell Sage College in Troy.
Grace always had a special love for music, including the piano and cello and, in later years, the opera. In her lifetime, she also enjoyed sewing, baking, selling and collecting antique jewelry, gardening and canning preserves. Her family especially remembers her love of rhubarb and her delicious peach marmalade.
In 1970, Dr. Timothy Harris was brought from Colorado to establish the very first Pulmonary Function lab in the area at the Albany Medical Center. Grace was hired to set up the laboratory under Dr. Harris and became its supervisor for over twenty years. She then moved to oversee the Quality Assurance program for all the laboratories under the Laboratory Services. One high point was the accolade afforded her by the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals for her summary approach and record keeping and presentation of laboratory quality assurance issues.
She is survived by her close friend of many years, Dean E. Wilder of Albany; three sisters, Phyllis Atkinson of Manassas, VA, Lois O’Brien of Braintree, MA, and Barbara Dertinger (Dr. Thomas) of Phoenix, AZ; a brother, Carl Beck Jr. of Cornelius, NC; a cousin, Linda Cappabianca (Frank) of Glens Falls, NY, and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind longtime. friends Richard Wolven of Castleton and Polly Mason of Cohoes.
A memorial service and interment will be held at a later date. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Carl Wirth
Grace, we miss you at Jackson-Hewitt and at the antique shows. GOD’s Blessings to you.
Betsy Sonneborn Hamel
Barbara- I am so sorry to hear of your sister’s passing. She was a very talented woman and will be missed. My sympathies.
Betsy
JAMIE MEEHAN
Grace was a wonderful lady and great neighbor at Taconic Lake. I had not seen her in years; then, as I was setting up to do an antique show she appeared. I did not know she was a dealer and I do not think she knew I was either. Over the past few years we got to see each other at various sales. She was always happy and fun to speak with. She had a very full life as I read her obit…wow…what a lady… She will be missed at shows. Let me offer my condolences to her family and friends. She is in Heaven looking down on us at antique shows and watching over our special place Taconic Lake. Thank you Grace for being in my life. Love Jamie & Iryna Meehan
Constance P Cotazino
What a wonderful classy woman! Mom, Sis, and I so looked forward to chatting with Grace & Dean whenever we ran into them at lunch. Always interesting and fun. We’re very sorry to hear this sad news — our deepest condolences to Dean and the family on this tragic sudden loss. She will be greatly missed. With sympathy, Connie Cotazino Jarratt
Paula Begley
Dean , I am so sorry for your tragic loss of Grace. We enjoyed talking to you and Grace every week. She always had an interesting story to tell.
My condolences to her family too. You were always together and enjoyed each others company. She will be missed at our BK lunches.
Sincerely your BK friend. Paula Begley
John and Ora Henkes
Grace was a lady of elegance and true grace. In the year I came to know her, her positive spirit shined. She shared tidbits of knowledge and friendship every time I saw her. She made time for humanity in all of her interactions with me as well as the other volunteers at the Habitat ReStore. Thank you for sharing Grace with us. We will carry part of her with us always as we remember her kind, smiling spirit. We are truly sorry to hear of her passing. Our sincere sympathy, especially to her shopping companion, Dean. JohnAndOra@yahoo.com
Debbie Bango
Grace will be missed-She was such a kind person, with a lovely smile and always willing to help-Dean you will be in my prayers -God Bless