Jean Harrington Beckwith

Jean Harrington Beckwith 90, of Madison passed away Sat., Sept. 12, 2020. She was the second born on April 14, 1930, to Milo and Della Harrington, and was preceded in death by her brothers Jack and Dick, and by her husband of 65 years, Jesse Beckwith. Jean was known for many things by her family and among her friends and neighbors, but her wit topped the list. She had a wicked sense of humor some might have described as snarky, before snarky was a thing. Her ability as a great storyteller, combined with that sense of humor, could fill a roomful with laughter. Known for decades to auctioneers and fellow bidders even beyond Dane County, she was a seasoned bargain hunter, with an eye for quality as well. She and Jesse’s annual April garage sales attracted newcomers as well as repeat buyers, all hopeful to find take-home treasures. Like bargains in the box marked Free, so were the lively conversations shared with both Jesse and Jean. Never a wallflower, she would easily engage with fellow grocery shoppers, gas station patrons and more. She’d say she didn’t like talking on the phone, but when you dialed her, you could count on plenty of banter and lots of chuckles. Jean was a talker, but a listener too. She tuned in weekday afternoons to radio soap operas in the fifties, and watched her favorites on TV well into her eighties. She loved to sing, starting her wake up routine accompanying her favorite CDs. Playing cards, whether poker with family, with other couples, or 500 with her Card Club lady friends, gave her pleasure right until the end. For years she dreamt up scrumptious card table snacks (or “goodies” as she called them), searched for and found “neat” prizes, enjoying that as much as she did “raking it in”. And win she did. Cardsharp or card shark, whichever term you prefer, she was one. Although not much of a gardener herself, Jean loved flowers and Nature’s gifts in general. Her car was always equipped with both scissors and knife to harvest interesting foliage and weeds, wildflowers, cattails, and the like. Windowsills, tables, and shelves were home to artful displays of her finds. In her last years, no longer cooking like she used to, every burner on her stovetop was camouflaged by berries, acorns, and dried flowers in baskets from her large collection. One of the last things shared with the Four Ds, the nickname for her kids, was that she guessed she was going to miss fall this year. She too will be missed for countless seasons ahead. Jean Margaret is survived by her four children: Diana Cutshall of East Bristol; Dick Beckwith of Stoughton; Debbie Beckwith of Sun Prairie; Dan Beckwith of Madison; and by her sister, Patti Harrington, of Weston, Texas. Jean as Grandma was beloved by nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Miss and love you. You are in our hearts forever.