Sharron Lee Beck

Sharron Lee Beck née Eldridge died on February 5, 2024, surrounded by love, with her devoted husband Darwin at her side. Shari was born on November 30, 1939, in Williston, ND to Parker and Bernadine Eldridge. They moved to Wolf Point, MT in Shari’s early childhood.

Shari proudly attended Wolf Point High School, Macalester College, and the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing. She married Darwin Leroy Beck on August 26, 1962, and moved to Greenbelt, MD where Shari began her nursing career and Darwin attended graduate school. She continued to work as a nurse and raise a young family until her fourth child was born. Shari then became a full-time mother and an avid volunteer in her church, community and beyond. In 1981, the family moved to Mahwah, NJ for Darwin’s job. Shari took on an assistant teaching role at Holy Cross Lutheran Nursery School, affirming her belief that four-year-olds are the most fun age.

After retirement, Shari and Darwin embarked on several overseas assignments, in Poland, Ukraine, and Moldova. There Darwin worked as an economic advisor to these newly independent nations, and Shari learned to navigate in places where she did not know the language. She managed to communicate easily using her ready smile and ingenuity.

In between these overseas adventures, the couple spent a few years in Southboro, MA to be close to their grandchildren. In later years, they divided their time between a lake-side family home in Aitkin, MN, and a winter get-away in Green Valley, AZ. In 2022, they moved to La Posada Green Valley, where Shari enjoyed playing bridge and meeting new friends.

Shari’s life was full of service and joy. She organized quilting for Lutheran World Relief in every place she lived. Together with Darwin, she welcomed relatives, friends, and those with a need into her home for both long and short stays. Everywhere she went, she struck up easy conversations and friendships with whoever she met. It was not unusual for her to learn a new friend’s whole life story in the first ten minutes of acquaintance, inspiring confidences and giving support in all she did. She rarely went anywhere without making a new friend.

Shari is survived by her husband, Darwin Beck; her four children Heidi Beck, Heather Abushanab, Kelli O’Loughlin, and Parker Beck; her children through marriage Dan Abushanab, BJ O’Loughlin, and Lisa Beck; her grandchildren Danielle Abushanab, Nadia Abushanab, Kate O’Loughlin, Sean O’Loughlin, Erin O’Loughlin, Ethan Beck, and Claire Beck; and her brother Van Eldridge and his wife Cindy Eldridge.

Shari was a wonderful wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, cousin, sister, and friend. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lutheran World Relief Quilt program (https://lwr.org/quilts.) You may use Shari’s email for acknowledgements.

A memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior, 555 S. La Cañada Dr., Green Valley, AZ 85614 at 10 AM on March 9th, 2024.