Margaret King Beck

Margaret (Meg) King Beck of Thompson’s Station passed away on Friday, June 23 with her loving husband and siblings by her side, at the age of 74. Meg brought joy to us every day through her smile, her wit and her heart. She was a guiding light to us all - rich in thoughtfulness, wisdom and compassion. We will honor her by carrying her gracious spirit forward every day. 

Meg was born in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Thomas and Gertrude King on November 9, 1948. She was a graduate of Harvard University where she received her Doctor of Education. She earned her Master’s from the University of San Francisco, and her Bachelor’s from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. She was a lifetime member of the Chi Omega Sorority. Meg believed in the power of education and invested a lifetime to furthering education for others. Her doctoral thesis at Harvard focused on what drove disadvantaged students to stay in school to earn a degree. And, throughout Meg’s life, she taught and consulted for numerous universities and school districts. Prior to Harvard, Meg was a Superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District where she began her relationship with her future husband, Robert “Bob” Beck. After two years of dating, Meg married Bob at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on November 13, 1993. They celebrated 32 wonderfully blessed years together and recently celebrated with a cruise down the Rhine River in Germany. 

Meg had a thirst for adventure from a young age. In her youth, she was on the diving team and was a skilled English rider specializing in the dressage discipline. She was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras where she lived and worked alongside community members on their local projects. She became fluent in Spanish which she maintained throughout her life. Later, Meg’s biggest personal passion and her most comforting community has been her Golden Retrievers. For the last 20 years, Meg has raised nine Goldens – Bear, Lulu, Piper, Gunner, Bobbi Jo, Jackson, Bode, Skeeter and Patsy C including whelping Piper’s nine puppies keeping two (Gunner and Bobbi Jo.)  Meg was a respected and well-loved member of the AKC Field Trial and Hunt Test community where she and Lulu won the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA) National Specialty Open in 2009 and the GRCA National Specialty Amateur in 2010. All eight of Meg’s Goldens have placed within the top 4 with Lulu becoming a Field Trial Champion and earning her place in the GRCA Hall of Fame, which was one of Meg’s proudest achievements. Meg volunteered countless hours for GRCA for the progression and integrity of the sport. Her GRCA legacy (and Lulu!) will live on. 

Meg is survived by her adoring husband, Robert “Bob” Beck, and her beloved children, Brian Beck (Patience Worrel), Laura Buckingham, and William Beck (Anna); her siblings, Carl King (Janet); Candy Warinner (William); Kevin King (Michelle); William King (CarolAnn); and Lynn DeBacco (Thomas). She also is also survived by two grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Gertrude King; siblings, Thomas King (Judy) and Gregory King (Olivia). 

Memorials may be given to the ‘Friends of Williamson County Animal Center’ at http://www.friendsofwcac.org/.

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