Obituary of Ann Beck

Ann (Meredith) Vere Beck, 79, of Dunkirk, NY passed on peacefully to be with our Lord in her home Saturday, December 20, 2014, her family at her side. Born December 5, 1935 in Leitchfield, Grayson County, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Eli Vernon and Ruby Mae Clarke Meredith. Receiving her BS Degree at Western Kentucky University and her MS Degree from State University of New York at Fredonia, Ann, a teacher for 40 years, retired from Ripley Central School after 17 years teaching children of the fifth grade. A consummate professional, she received multiple Teacher of the Year awards. Ann was also awarded the Kentucky Colonel, the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for this award are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, the Grape Belt Seniors, the Fredonia Garden Club, the First United Methodist Church of Fredonia and Morning Circle of the Church, Shore Acres Book Club, AAUW Brooks Auxilary in Dunkirk, Eastlake Woodlands Newcomers Club in Oldsmar, FL, Oldsmar Methodist Church, volunteered for 13 years at Mease Countryside Hospital in Palm Harbor, FL, Church Circle in Palm Harbor and made stuffed bears for the Eastlake Toymakers in Palm Harbor. Ann was a wonderful homemaker, generous to a fault with everyone, and she loved her family very much. She enjoyed entertaining, traveling, gardening, cooking, crafts, sewing and most especially spending time with all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband of 24 years, Robert "Bob" Beck of Dunkirk, NY, a son, Matthew Northam Vere of Houston, TX, four daughters, Meredith Lee Vere Patton (Sam) of Ripley, NY, Linda Beck Surgenor of Mercer, PA, Bobbi Beck Buchholz (Jeff) of North East, PA and Susie Beck Walczak (Ed) of Salisbury, MD, granddaughters Becca Anne Surgenor Gellnor (Brian) of New Castle, PA, Sara Beck Surgenor Arblaster (Mark) of New Wilmington, PA, Jenny Lynn Surgenor of Boston, MA and a grandson, Bob Edward Walczak (Theresa) of Pittsville, MD, great grandchildren Emily Grace Arblaster, Seth Douglas Arblaster, Katelyn Grace Gellnor and a sister Jane Meredith Gillaspie of Bowling Green, KY. She is predeceased by her first husband 1st Sgt. Alvin Northam Vere, Ret., one sister, Peggy Lee Meredith Kuprion and five brothers, Harry Meredith, John Meredith, Bill Meredith, Dick Meredith and Tom Meredith. A memorial service will be held in the spring at the First United Methodist Church in Fredonia, NY to be announced by the family. Internment will be private. Arrangements are under the direction of Mason Funeral Home, Westfield, NY. Donations are welcome in Ann's name to Hospice of Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Avenue, Lakewood, NY, 14750 and the First United Methodist Church of Fredonia, 25 Church Street in Fredonia, NY 14063. You may leave a message of remembrance for the family at www.masonfuneral.com