Beatrice Weeks Bast

Beatrice Weeks Bast, 95, of Delray Beach Florida, and formerly of Whitemarsh, PA and Lancaster, NH
Delray Beach, Florida -- Beatrice "Bea" Weeks Bast, passed peacefully on May 23, 2023 at her home in Delray Beach, Florida.
Bea was born on July 21, 1927 in Boston, MA, the youngest of six children of Beatrice Dowse Weeks and
C. Sinclair Weeks. She grew up in West Newton, MA, with active family sojourns in Lancaster NH and Wianno MA. Her grandfather, John W. Weeks, a native of Lancaster, served as Secretary of War under Presidents Harding and Coolidge and while in Congress, wrote the Weeks Act which created the National Forest System. Her father, Sinclair, served as Secretary of Commerce for President Eisenhower.
Bea was a graduate of The Ethel Walker School, Smith College, and later, Temple University where she received a degree in Landscape Design. She was married to Robert L. Bast of Philadelphia for 67 years, until his passing in 2016. Their life together and home in Whitemarsh, outside of Philadelphia, were graced by her artistry and deep interest and talent in horticulture, her wonderful affinity for friendships, and her joy and support of their four children.
Bea was a talented watercolorist, painting portraits of all her grandchildren and often revealing her delightful sense of humor through her art. Her love of nature guided her work as a proud member of The Weeders, her garden club in PA, and as an active member of the Morris Arboretum Associates, where she was one of the originators of the annual Moonlight and Roses Gala. She was also a founding force behind the Highlands Historical Society's annual Craft Show which ran for many years in Whitemarsh, Pa.
When their children were grown, Bea and Bob ventured more often to Florida and purchased their home in Delray Beach, where they enjoyed time and activity among family and friends. She was also a much loved presence at her family summer home in Lancaster, NH.
Bea is survived by her son, Robert S. Bast and Laura Carlsmith, of Hinesburg, VT, her daughter Kristine Bast Frisbie and Robert N. Frisbie of Palm Beach FL, her son William L. Bast and Alice S. Bast of Delray Beach and Whitemarsh, PA, and her daughter Beatrice Bast Welch and Leighton B. Welch of Bronxville, NY. Additionally, she enjoyed the company of her eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren, as well as her brother William D Weeks. Bea was predeceased by her husband Bob, and by her sisters Frances Lawrence and Martha Sherrill, and her brothers John Weeks and Sinclair Weeks Jr.
A gathering in celebration of Bea's life will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to The Morris Arboretum Annual Fund.