Jacob Stephenson Beck

Jacob Stephenson Beck Home

11340 N 6400 West

 

Elizabeth Healey Beck

Elizabeth Healey Beck

 Sketch read at the funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth Beck

Elizabeth Healey Beck 1858-1925

Sidney Kay Smith Creer's Great Grandmother

Elizabeth Healey Beck was the daughter of James and Mary Carlisle Healey and was born in Alpine, Utah – August 15, 1858. Her parents were of English birth and came to Utah in September, 1854, solely for the gospel of Jesus Christ to which they were converted in their native land. Thus, in a home where love for the gospel was always paramount. Sister Beck grew to womanhood and under the influence of such a home acquired a testimony of the truth from which she never wavered. Her education consisted of only what the little town of Alpine afforded at that early date. As a girl she was unassuming but possessed those rare qualities of being jovial without exhibiting boisterousness, clever but not sarcastic, an her ready wit and humor coupled with her good nature made her welcome in any crowd. But with all the pleasures attending youth she did not grow up without a realization of the hardships and poverty of the early pioneer days, and the financial aid she gave to the family before her marriage was greatly appreciated. She found employment in her marriage was greatly appreciated. She found employment in American Fork Canyon and in Salt Lake City and the amount she earned was freely given to the family to assist in the payment of taxes or help to supply the necessities of life. On October 2, 1878 she was married to Jacob S. Beck of Alpine where they made their home for about a year. Brother Beck then homesteaded his farm on Highland being among the first settlers there. They established there a permanent home where they lived until 1912, when they moved to American Fork. Five years ago Brother Beck died an since that time Sister Beck has lived with her children in American Fork, Idaho, and Salt Lake City respectively. About a month ago she went to Idaho to the home of her daughter Amanda and was in the best of health but was taken suddenly with pneumonia, and after seven days of illness, passed away on November 1, 1926. One great writer has truthfully said that “The greatest battles are not fought on the battlefield but are fought by the mothers of men”. Such was the life of Sister Beck. Fifteen times she passed through the valley of death to bring children into the world and fifteen times she came out triumphant and this she did willingly, never once feeling that one was unwelcome. Aside from the duties of caring for her large family, it was Sister Beck’s portion also to care for the many hired men necessary on their farm and many ties it took the day and long into the night to accomplish the work that must be done. All this she did without a complaining word and on every occasion filled her part nobly as daughter, wife and mother. Of her nine daughters, five are living, and four of her six sons are left to bear the family name. They are Mrs. Miriam Hicken of Heber, Mrs. Blanche Smith of Salt Lake City, Mrs. Amanda Whiteley of Oakley, Idaho, Vern, Floyd, and Reed of American Fork, Feramore Beck of Charleston, Mrs. Winifred Huffaker of Midway, and Mrs. Golda Sorenson of Bingham Canyon. She also has two brothers and two sisters living at Alpine, James C. and Richard J. Healey, Mrs. Martha Strong and Mrs. Jane Olsen. Her gentle presence filled a home With comfort and delight, That radiated from her soul Like soft celestial light. It fell around us like a glow Of sunshine from above. And filled our hearts with solace From a sweet transcendent love. Ah greater love hath none that this: For every life she gave Her own she put upon the rack, Serenely faced the grave. Her cup of sorrow oft’ ran o’er, The days filled up with cares; She lived to bless the lives she bore With love and tears and prayers.