Rebecca Matthews Veeck

Rebecca Matthews Veeck, 27, passed away on September 30, 2019, in Charleston, South Carolina after a battle with Batten’s Disease. The daughter of Elizabeth T. Veeck and Michael Veeck and sister of William “Night Train” Veeck. Her passion was baseball. Or perhaps it was the incredible works of art she created. Or even her enthusiasm for horses. No, her true calling was the smile she put on the faces of others. Talk to anyone and they can’t bring up Rebecca’s name without a Cheshire grin from ear-to-ear.

Her life’s work began at the age of two in St. Paul, MN as the team greeter for the St. Paul Saints. It’s amazing what a simple “Hi” from a sweet toddler will do to one’s heart as Rebecca was well on her way to making others feel special. She would make others laugh, even at her own embarrassment, when she donned matching tutus and clown outfits as the Saints ballpig.

Rebecca got her baseball start in St. Paul and continued her craft of bringing happiness to others in Charleston with the RiverDogs. She kept kids smiling while they waited in line for the kids zone, interacted with others at the guest-services booth and exclaimed when playing Twister against fans, “I’m going to beat your booty!” An occasional magic trick wowed those around her, but it was her magical spark that endeared her to people of all ages.

Even at the age of seven, when she was told her eyesight would slowly disappear because of the degenerative disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa, Rebecca never stopped making the people around her feel relaxed and comfortable. When others grew anxious for her as her eyesight nearly dissipated, she exclaimed, “I’ll be fine, I’m a Veeck.” She knew the love and passion that name brought to others and Rebecca was determined to bring joy to others no matter the obstacles she faced.

Rebecca loved travelling with her family, learning about her grandfather as stories were told to her at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, experiencing the wonders of Yosemite or sitting in her Dad’s lap, grabbing a hold of the steering wheel and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway.

She enjoyed music, bellowing out tunes with her family, and riding horses whether on vacation or just out in the middle of a vast field.

Most recently it was the power of Rebecca’s love of art that brought joy to those near and far. She worked on everything from ceramics, to pottery, to painting as her exquisite and unique works were seen in a gallery known as The Show. For someone that grew up in a baseball family, Rebecca was proud her work was sold in The Show.

Rebecca will be greatly missed by all that knew her and came in contact with her. But the joy, happiness, and smiles she brought to all of us will live on forever.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in her memory to The University of Iowa Batten Research Program, headed by Dr. Ed Stone, 4111 MERF, Iowa City, IA 52242.