Rev. Sarah (Nancy) Beaman

Rev. Sarah (Nancy) Beaman died peacefully in the arms of her children on November 13, 2011. Sarah was born in Pontygwaith, Wales, in 1921 to Thomas and Winifred Griffiths. She trained as a teacher and supported her mother and younger sisters after her father's death. While in Sheffield, England, during World War II, she met Don Beaman, the man she would eventually marry. His best friend married her sister, and Sarah's family followed, immigrating to America in 1947. Sarah continued her teaching career at Friends Central School in Philadelphia, eventually becoming Head of the Lower School. Sarah left to marry Don and relocated to upstate New York, where she raised her two children prior to returning to work. In addition to teaching, Sarah worked as a free-lance writer, publishing a column in a local newspaper, as well as many articles in teaching and religious magazines. Sarah also published a children's book set in Wales, entitled "Dragon Mountain". After retiring from teaching, Sarah returned to school, completing her Master's in Divinity and fulfilling her lifelong dream, as she was ordained as a Methodist minister at the age of 65. Sarah embarked on her new career with enthusiasm, leading congregations in Wissinoming, Lawndale, and Catasauqua, PA, where she and Don found a home among many loving friends. They celebrated their 50th anniversary there prior to Don's death in 2007. Sarah loved music and sang with many well-known choirs in her youth. She was a proud supporter of her daughter's performances and will be greatly missed in the audience. She loved word games, crossword puzzles and was once a contestant on Jeopardy. Though proud of her many accomplishments, nothing made Sarah happier than her family and her friends. Sarah maintained lifelong friendships and regularly kept in contact with the many people she had met over the years. Her intelligence, creativity, warmth and genuine caring have had a huge impact on those that have been fortunate enough to meet her through her teaching, ministry, or social network. She was very happy to relocate to be near her children, spending her final few years in the Wilmington area. Sarah is survived by her daughter Wynne, son Tom, sister-in-law Betty, 21 nieces and nephews and their families, and 7 grandcats. She was preceded in death by her husband Don, sisters Ethel and Clare, sisters-in-law Mary Ruth and Lucile, brothers-in-law Frank, Harmon, Jack, Herb, Chris and Bill, and nephew Chuck. A memorial service will be held at Sarah's former church, now Bethany Church, 429 Walnut Street, Catasauqua, PA 18021 on Saturday, December 3th at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief at http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/Search-for-Projects/Advance-Project-Search.