GRAY — A. Mae Beck died Oct. 13, 2006, peacefully in her sleep in her chair in her home. She was with one of her ladies, Cindy, who helped her youngest great-grandson into this world and helped Mae on her way out.
Mae was born May 5, 1905, in West Fairlee, Vt., to Charles S. and Annie (Thompson) Scruton. She is predeceased by her husband Dr. Henry W. Beck; her aunt Susie Scruton; and her brothers Charlie and David. Mae is survived by her son Henry and his wife Elisabeth of Meriden, N.H.; and her daughter, Dotty and her husband Art Deloach of Freeport, and Hilton Head Island, S.C.; her grandchildren Liz, Nancy, Kathie, Laurel and Greg will miss her as well as her great- grandchildren Steven, Peter, Jaclyn, Matthew, Daniel, Erin, Kelsey, and Olivia.
Mae moved to Gray in 1928, where she helped her husband Dr. Beck set up a practice and together they raised a family. During World War II, she was a Red Cross Coordinator for Gray as well as a volunteer for the Gray Civil Defense.
After her husband’s death in 1957, Mae toured the country visiting various relatives then settled in Cambridge, Mass., with her daughter Dotty and granddaughter Liz. In 1971, Mae returned to Gray to the brick house that she and her husband had bought in 1930. Once again she jumped into volunteering in a big way.
Mae finished up her seven year Girl Scout career with a year spent with the Gray Cadette troop. She also took on raising money to pay off the new Parish House at the Gray Congregational Church. She became the chair of the Cancer Drive in Gray, a position she continued through 1988, even making a local commercial for the Drive. In 1971, the Portland Press Herald asked the Gray Extension Group to take on the Christmas Caravan as a community service project. Mae was involved in this effort for twenty-nine years to make sure every needy child in her community received something for Christmas. When the need for Senior Citizens Housing became apparent in Gray, Mae got involved. Meadowview Senior Citizens Housing was the result. Mae remained on the Board of Directors until 2003. Mae also spearheaded the drive to preserve the last one room school house, Dry Mills School house, and helped turn Newbegin Gym into a Community Center. She served on the Gray Town Council for six years in the 1980s, her passion being the preservation of the town water supply.
Mae was also active in her church (First Congregational Church of Gray) working on the expansion of the Parish House as well as other projects. She was proud of her first project at the church, turning the basement of the church building into the existing Supper Room.
No one dared to say no to her when she asked for something. She was a strong willed, independent, and wonderful lady who will be greatly missed.
Many thanks to the people who helped her live and die at home, Leona, Pat, Greg and Rena. Special thanks to Sandy, Cindy, Fran, Dotty and Wilda Rose who stayed with Mae day and night until the end.
A service of committal will be held Saturday, Oct. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Gray Cemetery with the Rev. Douglas Hedstrom presiding. A gathering celebrating her life will be held afterwards at the Gray Congregational Church Parish House. Arrangements are by the Wilson Funeral Home. –
Published in Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram on Oct. 17, 2006
