Audrey Louise Jones Beck

AUDREY LOUISE JONES BECK, a native Houstonian, was born on March 27, 1922, and passed away on August 22, 2003. Ms. Beck was preceded in death by her husband, John Albert Beck, in 1973. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tilford Jones and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Guy Thompson. Ms. Beck graduated from The Kinkaid School and attended Mount Vernon College in Washington, D.C., and The University of Texas at Austin. During World War II, she volunteered at the Aircraft Recognition Center for the Department of Defense and at the Hollywood Canteen in Los Angeles. With her husband, Ms. Beck assembled the world-renowned John A. and Audrey Jones Beck Collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, which became a permanent collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) in 1974. Ms. Beck continued to add to the collection throughout her life and formally donated all of the paintings to the museum some years ago. The MFAH's new building was named in honor of Ms. Beck's profound contribution to the visual arts in Houston. In addition to her position as a life trustee of the MFAH, for the past 42 years Ms. Beck served on the board of directors of Houston Endowment, the philanthropic foundation established by her grandparents, Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones, in 1937. She was also a founding trustee of the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet and was a trustee of the Houston Symphony Society. Ms. Beck belonged to the Junior League, River Oaks Garden Club, Houston Country Club, The Houston Club, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, Texas Arts Alliance, American Federations of Arts, Smithsonian National Associates, Cultural Arts Council of Houston, The National Gallery Collectors Committee of Washington, D.C., Friends of Bayou Bend and The Zoological Society of Houston. She was a member of Christ Church Cathedral. Ms. Beck leaves behind many family members and devoted friends who will miss her wit, wisdom and vitality. Her family and friends offer their sincere thanks to Ofelia Martinez and Eva Cervantes for the loving care they provided Ms. Beck. At Ms. Beck's request, a private graveside service was conducted at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery officiated by The Very Reverend Joe D. Reynolds of Christ Church Cathedral. In Lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given the Humane Society of Houston, P.O. Box 450528, Houston, Texas 77245 or the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, P.O. Box 4606, Houston, Texas 77210-9865.