Mary Margaret Beaumont

Mary Margaret Beaumont of West Chester Mary Margaret Beaumont, 57, a landscape painter and longtime teacher, died of uterine cancer at her home in West Chester on Friday,September 19, 2014. Beaumont taught for more than 30 years at the Chester County Art Association. She also taught privately and was well known for her devotion to teaching historic palettes and early painting methods, especially en plein air, or Impressionistic-style outdoor painting. She was born in Philadelphia but grew up in an artistic household in West Chester, not far from a neighborhood known as "Quaker's block" that includes a Friends school and meeting house long associated with Beaumont's family. Her household at one time included her aunt Dorothy Lapp, the longtime librarian and archivist at the Chester County Historical Society. When Lapp retired, Beaumont create a marble bust of her aunt that was displayed for many years in the society's library. Beaumont also shared a home and in recent years, took care of her elderly parents, Mary Margaret Parry, a retired social worker and Frank Stepler, an alumnus and an instructor at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Beaumont was a 1984 graduate of the Academy and a 1974 graduate of Henderson High School. Beaumont's life and work revolved around art - creating it and her imparting her extensive knowledge to others. She shared her aunt's interest in Chester County history, especially regional art history, encouraging countless students to exhibit their work. Beaumont kept ties with the Academy, exhibiting in an annual fellowship show and earning such honors as the Fellowship "Purchase Prize" in 1987. She also exhibited at the Philadelphia Sketch Club, but her main intent was to encourage her students, frequently bringing their works and handing out entry forms. She loved her dogs and cats, but also all creatures large and small. She will be missed by her friends, fellow artists and former students. A memorial service is scheduled on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the West Chester Friends Meeting, 425 N. High, West Chester. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals in Radnor, Pa.