This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marysday Surnames: Beck, Johnson, Steer, Durrett, Hayward, Hall, Miller, Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.oregon.counties.lincoln/6303/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Oct 25th, 2012 The News Times, Newport, OR 97365 Mary Johnson Beck Mary Johnson Beck, 85, of Newport, Ore., died Oct. 17, 2012 at Newport Rehabilitation. She was born Nov. 8, 1926 to Hubert Johnson and Margaret Steer in Hartford, Conn. Mary, the youngest of three children, grew up in Hartford, the daughter of a colonel in the Air Force, and liked to think of herself as "daddy's little girl." She was married three times and lived in Maryland, Ohio, Colorado and finally, Oregon. In her 30s, she worked for the Martin-Marietta Aerospace Program, where her second husband was the vice president. She raised her children with her third husband, mostly in Colorado, while they enjoyed a hobby of race car driving. Their skills won them both many awards in those years. She later moved to Oregon, where she earned a living as a Realtor and owner of a real estate company in Coos Bay, and she served some time as the president of the Oregon Board of Realtors. She loved to cook and entertain and often worked as a chef prior to retiring. Simultaneously, she enjoyed working as a historic guide at the Teller House in Central City, Colo. She had great art talent and enjoyed painting scenes on old hand saws, sculpting, and using her flair for arts and crafts to decorate her home and make gifts for her friends and family. Her retirement years were spent pursing that joy in the area of Coos Bay, and later living with daughter, Suzanne Durrett-Hayward in Seal Rock and then Newport; a move that was never regretted. She resided for a short time at Oceanview Senior Living, where she spent many happy moments enjoying the company and friendship of the other residents. Family members say Mary was known for telling it how it is; not using too much sugar. She was a realist and not interested in people's agendas, and most people loved her for her blunt honesty. She had a passion for life and wasn't afraid. She is survived by her five children, Sharon Joan Hall, Suzanne Michelle Durrett-Hayward, Devera Joyce Miller, William Richard Beck and James Adam Beck; 12 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren. A family wake type-memorial will be held at Devera and Rex Miller's farm in Coos Bay, where Mary's ashes will be scattered. Affordable Burial and Cremation is handling arrangements. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.