JEAN "JEANNIE" BECTON

1944 - 2023

BECTON, Jean "Jeannie" (Redpath) Of Concord, MA, artist and silversmith, who was known for her infectious laugh, her creativity, and her generosity, died, on February 3, 2023, at the Hospice House in Lincoln, MA. At the end, she was surrounded by her loving family, including Henry Prentiss Becton, Jr., her husband of 54 years, and their three children. Jeannie was a devoted mother, grandmother, and a dear friend to many. Known for her warmth and her uniquely charming sense of humor, she was considered to have a sparkling personality by those who knew her. Jeannie was born on May 7, 1944, in South Orange, NJ, the daughter of Robert Upjohn Redpath and Nancy Shaw Miller Redpath. She attended Far Brook School in Short Hills, NJ and spent her childhood summers at Pocono Lake Preserve in PA. Jeannie attended Rosemary Hall School in Connecticut. She studied silversmithing and sculpture at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts School and earned a fine arts degree from Tufts University. Jeannie adored her children and grandchildren; laughing, listening, connecting, creating, celebrating birthdays, always valuing their time together. She was the heart, soul, and glue of a wonderful family culture. She pursued her passion for silversmithing first at the deCordova Museum. Eventually she and her silversmithing colleagues created their own studio at Motherbrook Arts and Community Center in Dedham. Those lucky enough to have one of her silver creations testify that it would be the first thing they'd grab in the event of a house fire. Jeannie's artistic sensibility infused every facet of her life, whether it was interior design, ceramics, or the artwork she acquired. She was known for making beautiful spaces within her homes filled with thoughtfully chosen pieces. She belonged to the Weston Garden Club and won prizes for some of her garden show entries. She enjoyed music, particularly choral singing, Christmas and Celtic music, the Revels, and Yale singing groups. Jeannie and her family spent winter months in Boca Grande, FL, and summers in Blue Hill, ME where she chaired the house committee for the yacht club and was famous for her delicious sauce bearnaise for 150 people at the club's annual dinner. Jeannie's love for the Maine coast and the environment inspired her to encourage young people to pursue environmental careers by funding two internships with the Maine Coast Heritage and Blue Hill Heritage Trusts. She was a board member for many years of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, focusing on supporting the island of Canna in the Hebrides and the preservation of its musical, photographic and literary collections, donated to the Trust by a relative. In addition to her husband, Henry; she is survived by her two daughters and their spouses, Sara and Guy, Eliza and Glen; her son, Wilson; five adored grandchildren, Campbell, Hayden, Jamie, Summer and Tate; her brothers, Rob and Bill Redpath; as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She is predeceased by her sister, Nancy Redpath. The family is planning a memorial gathering later this spring or summer. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her memory to the Blue Hill Heritage Trust for their internship program, the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, P.O. Box 9207, Boston, MA 02114, or the Hematology Development Fund, Mass General Hospital, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. For her online guestbook, please visit www.DeeFuneralHome.com