Alice Snodgrass Beckwith, 83, of Vero Beach, passed away on Aug. 2, 2014, at her home in Vero Beach.
She was the beloved wife of the late James Scott Beckwith III. Beckwith was mother of Kennedy B. Nelson (Gordon) and granddaughters Kathryn S. Nelson, Elizabeth G. Nelson and Virginia C. Nelson; Kathryn B. Woody (Chip) and granddaughters Porter A. Gaier and Margaret R. Gaier; and James Scott Beckwith IV (Jennifer) and granddaughters Maia P. Beckwith and Findlay G. Beckwith.
Beckwith was a graduate of the Ellis School, Pittsburgh, Penn., and spent her adult life volunteering on its behalf. She was President of the Alumnae Association, for many years a Board member and was President of the Board of Trustees during the building of the Lower School, which was named in her honor. She was devoted to the Carnegie Museum of Art where she was one of the early members of the Women’s Committee.
She was an avid gardener and her flowers and arrangements enhanced the lives of her family and many appreciative friends. She was an accomplished golfer and a member of the United States Senior Women’s Golf Association. An avid and well- versed reader, Beckwith’s intellectual curiosity was advanced by her extensive travels all around the world, including many trips taken with the Young Presidents’ Organization.
In later life she and her husband moved to John’s Island for the winter months. There, she became involved with the Vero Beach Museum of Art as a member of the Board. She and her husband gave the outside sculpture Parks to the Museum for the enjoyment of the community.
Beckwith was also involved with McKee Gardens, the Riverside Theater and John’s Island Foundation. As an officer of the Beckwith Family Foundation, she was instrumental in directing gifts to charitable organizations whose outreach touched and enhanced many lives.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Community Church of Vero Beach on Monday, Nov. 3, at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions would be appreciated by The Vero Beach Museum of Art, Endowment Fund, 3001 Riverside Park Drive, Vero Beach, FL 32963, or the Ellis School, Alice S. Beckwith Scholarship Fund, 5425 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
