Josephine “Fine” C. Beck, 96, of Skaneateles, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, January 29, 2023, in Fleming Island, FL. Fine was born to Wubbo Spelde and Josephina van den Hoogen in Pekalongan, Indonesia on June 1, 1926.
After surviving WWII, in separate Japanese concentration camps for 4 years, Fine and her parents were reunited and returned to the Netherlands where she studied and became a nurse. In Amsterdam, she met Richard “Dick” Beck and they married on July 23, 1954. Fine, Dick, and their two daughters (sponsored by the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church) immigrated to the USA in 1963 and settled in Skaneateles, NY.
There they grew their family and actively participated in the church and the community. Fine loved people, especially children. She was a Girl Scout Leader and an active member in the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church. She volunteered in the nursery, participated in the circle and church fair committees, and served as a Deacon and Elder.
Josephine loved her flower gardens and, with Richard, expanded the vegetable garden her father had started for her when he and her mother visited from Holland for a year. Fine and Dick loved to travel and made friends wherever they went. They started by motorcycling through Europe and the Alps when they were newly married. Then they traveled throughout the United States and enjoyed camping with their children. They toured Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, and Indonesia throughout their retirement, visiting family and friends.
Josephine had a beautiful, positive outlook on life. She will be remembered for her kind words and encouragement in all the cards and letters she wrote to family and friends, her thoughtfulness, caring attitude, and willingness to help people. She was always thankful and considered herself very blessed. Being an only child, she was so proud of having a large family. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Richard Beck and dedicated daughter, Charlotte Fragale.
She will be missed by her daughters and their husbands: Josephine and George Schiazza, Caroline and Mark Pantaleo, Patricia and Michael Riley, Frances and David Glanville Jr.; her sixteen grandchildren and their spouses; her fifteen great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law; her nieces and nephews, her cousins, her friends, and all the individuals she "adopted" along the way.
To celebrate Josephine's life there will be two services held at: Russell Haven of Rest in Green Cove Springs, FL on February 11, 2023, at 11 am, followed by a luncheon.
Skaneateles Presbyterian Church on June 3, 2023, at 11 am, followed by a luncheon. Robert D. Gray Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mrs. Josephine C. Beck's memory to: Haven Hospice, Skaneateles Presbyterian Church, The Girl Scouts of America, Meals on Wheels Eastern Onondaga County.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
After surviving WWII, in separate Japanese concentration camps for 4 years, Fine and her parents were reunited and returned to the Netherlands where she studied and became a nurse. In Amsterdam, she met Richard “Dick” Beck and they married on July 23, 1954. Fine, Dick, and their two daughters (sponsored by the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church) immigrated to the USA in 1963 and settled in Skaneateles, NY.
There they grew their family and actively participated in the church and the community. Fine loved people, especially children. She was a Girl Scout Leader and an active member in the Skaneateles Presbyterian Church. She volunteered in the nursery, participated in the circle and church fair committees, and served as a Deacon and Elder.
Josephine loved her flower gardens and, with Richard, expanded the vegetable garden her father had started for her when he and her mother visited from Holland for a year. Fine and Dick loved to travel and made friends wherever they went. They started by motorcycling through Europe and the Alps when they were newly married. Then they traveled throughout the United States and enjoyed camping with their children. They toured Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Scandinavia, and Indonesia throughout their retirement, visiting family and friends.
Josephine had a beautiful, positive outlook on life. She will be remembered for her kind words and encouragement in all the cards and letters she wrote to family and friends, her thoughtfulness, caring attitude, and willingness to help people. She was always thankful and considered herself very blessed. Being an only child, she was so proud of having a large family. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Richard Beck and dedicated daughter, Charlotte Fragale.
She will be missed by her daughters and their husbands: Josephine and George Schiazza, Caroline and Mark Pantaleo, Patricia and Michael Riley, Frances and David Glanville Jr.; her sixteen grandchildren and their spouses; her fifteen great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law; her nieces and nephews, her cousins, her friends, and all the individuals she "adopted" along the way.
To celebrate Josephine's life there will be two services held at: Russell Haven of Rest in Green Cove Springs, FL on February 11, 2023, at 11 am, followed by a luncheon.
Skaneateles Presbyterian Church on June 3, 2023, at 11 am, followed by a luncheon. Robert D. Gray Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mrs. Josephine C. Beck's memory to: Haven Hospice, Skaneateles Presbyterian Church, The Girl Scouts of America, Meals on Wheels Eastern Onondaga County.
To send condolences, visit robertdgrayfuneralhome.com.
