Nancy Beckwith, 70, formerly of Vero Beach, passed away on June 10, 2014, after a lengthy battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband, David Beckwith, and her daughter, Aimee.
Beckwith was born on Aug. 10, 1943 in Mobile, Ala. She moved to Vero Beach in 1985, became a part-time resident of the Lower Keys in 2005, and a full-time Keys resident in 2012.
She graduated from Murphy High School in Mobile and went on to earn two Masters degrees and a Doctorate. She worked at Merchants National Bank in Mobile and then became Provost of the Brookley Campus of the University of South Alabama.
Beckwith was an accomplished musician who played in the Mobile Symphony Orchestra. She was a graduate of Leadership Mobile, served on a wide variety of non-profit boards including United Way and helped organize the America’s Junior Miss Pageant.
In 1985, she followed her husband, David, to Vero Beach. In 1987, her daughter Aimee was born.
Beckwith became the vice president and bank administrator of Florida National Bank’s branches in Indian River County. She became one of the bank’s largest commercial loan officers in the southeast and held the bank’s record for being chosen on the most consecutive years to its President’s Club.
She once again served on a variety of non-profit boards including Safe Space, United Way, and St. Edwards School. She also joined the Riomar Bay Yacht Club and the Quail Valley Club. In 2006, she retired from Florida National’s successor bank, Wachovia National Bank. In retirement she co-authored two books with her husband and wrote editorials and book reviews for the Key West Citizen.
Beckwith was a people magnet, drawing friends from all walks of life. She was also known as a “go-to” person when something needed to be accomplished. She was known for her sometimes raucous wit and her generosity. She loved to boat and fish, having been raised on the Gulf of Mexico. She will also always be remembered as one of the University of Alabama’s most rabid fans. Her premature passing will leave a permanent void in many lives.
A private celebration of her life will be held on an undetermined future date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Cancer Foundation of the Florida Keys, http://keyscancerfoundation.or g/donate.
