BECKY HANSON "BECK" WHITEHEAD

1951 - 2021

Becky (Beck) Whitehead was born in Little Rock, Arkansas August 21,1951 and died at home on East Sunshine Street, San Antonio, Texas January 15, 2021. Widely beloved as a paper and book arts artist and teacher, Beck was on faculty at Southwest School of Art for more than 30 years and basically "built the department" – starting as an unpaid assistant and moving up to become studio manager and chair of Paper & Book Arts.

Her work was regularly shown in galleries around the United States and Canada, and she conducted workshops widely, especially at Haystack, on Deer Isle, Maine, many times. After Sept 11, 2001, she created 2,996 paper airplanes to commemorate all the people who died that day, which were magnificently displayed in a giant stairwell at Texas A &M University, Corpus Christi.

Daughter of Mona Elizabeth Beck Hanson and William Frank Hanson, sister to Bill, Jr., Beck remained very close to her family all their lives. When she was a child, the family moved often, finally landing in San Antonio, where her husband was also born and grew up. She met Charles Daniel (Chuck) Whitehead at Trinity University, where he was also an art student, and they married in 1973, the same year she graduated with a BA in Fine Art. In 1972-1973, she attended the Institute for European Studies in Vienna, Austria. Her love for travel continued through the years as she and Chuck took camping and hiking trips to west Texas, New Mexico, Canada and elsewhere.

Chuck worked as a graphic designer for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for 21 years, then the Biodynamic Research Corporation. They loved dogs, jazz, Zen Buddhism, succulent plants, stacked stones, the art of others, and delicious dinners with friends. Even after her own cancer diagnosis and her dearest Chuck's death of multiple myeloma in 2020, she retained a distinctive steadiness and calm, which had girded them as a couple in their 47 years together. They were incredibly wise, well-lit human beings, with subtle senses of humor and unforgettable laughs.

Beck is survived by her devoted dog Lily, a vast tribe of devoted friends, artists and past students, her sister-in-law Carla Hanson, Chuck's siblings and spouses, Myles Keith Whitehead and Sylvie, Constance Ann Smith and David, William Brian Whitehead and Margaret, Robert Childs Whitehead and Ann, and James Winfred Whitehead and Janice, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Deep gratitude to friends and caregivers Eleonore Lee and Elizabeth Avery, and all others who helped in difficult days.

Beck is remembered fondly as being studious, focused, diligent, clear-headed, tender, understated, gracious, and strong. Her calm infused her surroundings. She was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about paper and the paper studio at Southwest School of Art. Her art lit us all up. We are grateful for her instruction and support, and felt lucky to be her friends and family. Beck is survived by her art and her gentle and compassionate spirit, which lives on in all who loved her, along with her counsel, "Remember to say no on occasion."

Beck was buried beside Chuck at the Countryside Memorial Park in La Vernia, Texas on January 15. As a generous benefactor to many worthy causes, Beck would have appreciated any remembrances to the charity of your choice.