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Janet Beck Obituary
Jan was born on May 17, 1944 in Long Beach, California, the first child of Duane and Dorothy Beck. She grew up in Palos Verdes Estates. She attended Valmonte Elementary, Malaga Cove Intermediate, Narbonne High School and was in the first graduating class of Palos Verdes High School in 1962.
Jan left Palos Verdes to attend college at Oregon State University. While there she obtained her teaching credential. She began her teaching career in Huntington Beach, California. From there she went to Hawaii and worked with the Head Start Program. In 1969 she entered employment with the Department of Defense and traveled the world while teaching. She began at Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa. The next stop was Germany, where she spent the remainder of her working years. During this time she obtained her Master's Degree and moved from the classroom to administration. Jan ended her career as an assistant principal at Wurzburg Elementary School. She retired from DoDDS in the year 1999, and moved back to be with her family in southern California.
Jan loved traveling. She figured she had been to over 130 cities in more than 30 countries. She enjoyed traveling with her friends and family. Since retiring she visited South America, cruised Tahiti and Alaska, and all over the United States. Other activities included being on the board of the PVP American Association of University Women (AAUW) and being active in the Peninsula Seniors, where she especially enjoyed the exercise classes.
Jan loved attending DoDDS reunions all over the United States. She treasured visiting with her second family, all her friends she worked with over the years. The last reunion she attended was in Las Vegas in July 2009.
Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Duane and Dorothy (Noonan) Beck. She leaves behind two sisters, Judy White and Jo Ann Mack, both from Rancho Palos Verdes and one brother, Tom Beck, from St. George, Utah. One sister-in-law, Colleen Beck and her brother-in-law, Bill Mack. Three nephews, Ben White, Christopher and Kyle Mack and one grand niece, Alyssa White.
Memorial services will be planned for a later date. Please sign the guest book at
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Memories and Condolences
for Janet Beck
Pamela Mercer Herman
September 30, 2019
I hope the family of Janet Beck sees this post. Miss Beck was my 6th grade teacher at Kadena Elementary School on Okinawa in 1969. Even in her early years as a teacher, she was superior. She was a kind, caring teacher who knew how to teach and how to have fun. She brought us to the base swimming pool, to a park for a picnic, and on runs around the playground when we were too rowdy. The year following 6th grade she and I both moved to Kadena Middle School. A friend and I would visit her every day at lunch time just to say hello. Miss Beck made us feel important and special. I did speak to Jan before her passing in 2009. I searched for contact information and called her at her home in California to thank her for being the teacher who influenced me to be a teacher. I remember her fondly.
January 27, 2010
Dear Judy, Jo, Tom and Family,
We are sorry for your loss. If you need to talk or need anything, please call.
Terri Sullivan-Macias and Family
Anita Eddy(Newman)
January 24, 2010
Dear Judith,Jo & Tom,
You know my thoughts are with you.
You guys were there for Jan through it all. I know she loved you and appreciated all your love and support.
You guys are the best siblings anyone could ask for.
May Jan now be in peace free of any pain.
With Love, Anita
Patty Boyle
January 15, 2010
Dear Beck family,
It is with great sorrow that I heard of the passing of Jan. I enjoyed being her friend. I saw her in LV last summer and we has some good laughs. I shall miss her not being in LA when I go south. We always had so much fun. You all are in my prayers.
Patty Boyle
Davia Shirleley
January 8, 2010
I was very saddened to learn of Jan's passing. She was a wonderful person to work with at Weurzburg Elementary. She always saw the goodness in each student and was a strong advocate for all. I always considered Jan a part of my Dodds family. My thoughts and prayers are with Jan's family.
Cordelia Hwang
January 8, 2010
It was a pleasure to work with Jan on the AAUW board. I will miss her. My thoughts are with the family in you loss.
Kimberly Park
January 8, 2010
I've had the pleasure of knowing Jan for a brief time, but was very impressed with her intelligence and humility. She was kind, thoughtful but forthright in her approach. She was always willing to help out with branch activities and a valuable member on the board of AAUW. Her kind, compassionate and courageous nature showed in all things she did, especially after she found out her cancer has returned. I thought I would have more time to get to know her better and now feel the loss of a friend that I could have gotten to know better. My deep condolences to Jan's family and friends.
Otis, Heidi and Vanessa Motley
January 6, 2010
Jan was a pleasant and caring person. We will miss her. Our prayers are with Jan and her family.
Carol Collins
January 6, 2010
Although I didn't know you well, Jan, I really enjoyed the few things we did do together. I love you and will miss you very much. God bless you!!! I'm sure he has!
Carol Collins
Valerie Stiglicz
January 6, 2010
Jan was an inspiration for us all.......good heart, beautiful smile, great listener and lots of understanding. We shared several great years in Wuerzburg, Germany at our elementary school. We are so blessed to have been able to see her one last time at our DODDS Las Vegas reunion in July.
Just want to tell her family how proud she was of all of you. Your photos graced her office.
Kathlene Clemmons
January 6, 2010
I enjoyed very much working with Jan in Wildflecken. She was a solid role model and always had positive and encouraging words to share.
Pat Ekberg & Jackie Anderson
January 5, 2010
We got to know Jan at lunches after our exercise class. We enjoyed her quiet wit and compassion for all. She had a love of life and will miss her greatly.
Doris Henry
January 5, 2010
It was a privilege and a pleasure to have been part of the staff under Jan's leadership at both Wildflecken and Wuerzburg. There wasn't a negative bone in her body and she always had time just to listen. I can still hear her saying, "Just don't do anything radical." Jan will always be in my heart. Doris Henry (Grafenwoehr, Germany)
Margaret Barry
January 5, 2010
Dear Judy, Jo Ann and Tom and the rest of Jan's family.
I am so sorry for your loss. Jan was the Assistant Principal at Wuerzburg Elementary School while I was the school nurse. She was such a loving and fair person. You and your family are in my prayers tonight.
Christopher Mack
January 4, 2010
i will miss you very much tia jan. you will always be in my heart. you were a great aunt and yes we had our differences and we were both as stubborn as mules but thats what made us the same and thats what made us close. you and i are very alike and im glad i had you as an aunt. ill always love, respect, and miss you. love chris
Tina Calo
January 3, 2010
Jan was an outstanding educator and a wonderful friend. All who knew her admired her quiet strength and caring ways. She always had a kind and encouraging word for everyone. Her DoDDS family will miss her very much, especially during our summer reunions. We will always remember you, Dear Friend.
Linda McCauley
January 1, 2010
Jan was the greatest advocate for children that I ever worked with. We shared a classroom for 12 years and she touched and advocated for hundreds of children. Those that worked with her learned much from her quiet strength of character. She will be sorely missed by all.
John Peterson
January 1, 2010
My parents and I knew the Beck family well, from the early '50s when they first moved to the house on Via Picaposte. Jan was a teacher from the beginning, organizing the young ones, being the concerned adult among them. I visited her in Hawaii on my first R&R from Vietnam. She was a lovely person. Sue and I send our condolences to her family.
Ted and Dee Edwards
January 1, 2010
Jan taught children, but she was a strong, positive role model to all with whom she worked. Her extended DoDDS family will miss her and sends Thank Yous to her BECK family for sharing her with us since 1969.
Marion Martelli
January 1, 2010
Janet was always the first to volunteer to assist in any event or program our AAUW branch was planning. She never wanted to be in charge or to get credit for her efforts, but she was always one of the hardest workers. Even while fighting her cancer, if she felt the slightest bit better, she was right there by your side helping out and never complaining about what she was going through. Jan's smiling face and quirky sense of humor will be sorely missed.
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