Beatrice M. Beckenbach

Beatrice Margaret Beckenbach, 95 of Jacksonville Beach, FL, passed away with her family by her side on Monday, June 27, 2022, to join her husband and heavenly family.

Born in Bayonne, NJ on March 18, 1927, she was the daughter of George and Cecelia Nagengast, and sister to both Marie and George. 

She is survived by her two siblings, three children, 11 Grandchildren and 9 Great-Grandchildren

Beatrice married Edmund Beckenbach in 1950 and raised their three loving children, Jane, Mark, Peter in Bayonne then Roselle Park, NJ.  Retirement led them to Florida for the last 37 years, planting roots in Palm Coast and Atlantic Beach.

Beatrice lived life to the fullest, devoted to her family, and guided by a strong Roman Catholic Faith. As an active member in the community and church she was an inspiration to many.  A woman before her time, she believed in freedom of speech, creativity, fighting for equality & justice. She led her life with respect and kindness for others; and always had a kind and encouraging word, a funny joke, or sometimes a smart-aleck come back. She was Florence Nightingale when needed and Joan of Arc when called upon.

Bea said “the Blessed Mother was my quide through Life. She always interceded for me”

Beatrice was always engaged, competent, creative and competitive in everything she took on whether it was  teaching, raising her family, knitting, sewing, cribbage and playing tennis just to name a few.

When she wasn’t shaping the minds of future generations as the Math and Science teacher at the local Middle School, she was volunteering at the Library of the Blind, travelling the globe and managing the local Square Dancing Club with her husband, Edmund, of 65 years.

Grandma Bea’s door was always opened. As a Mother, Grandmother, ally, companion, confidant, and advocate,  she was much loved and will be GREATLY missed, but her legacy lives on in her devoted family and friends.

A private celebration of Beatrice’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations in her honor may be made to Benedictine Abbey of Newark, 520 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102.