Levoy Lee Beckett

LeVoy “Lee” Quintier Beckett, went to her heavenly home on Friday, September 20, 2024. She was born August 19, 1931, in Ury, West Virginia to the late Frederick and Versa (Hall) Quintier. In addition to her parents, Lee is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Edward R. Beckett, Jr., brother-in-law, Sam Sirianni, sister-in-law, Pam Quintier, and an infant brother John Douglas Quintier who died shortly after his birth. Left to cherish her memory are daughters, Sally A. Beckett (Scott) of Fort Myers, Florida; Meg Beckett Christie (Todd) of Centerburg, Ohio; granddaughters, Lauren Smith (Lance) of Centerburg, Ohio; and Kelsey Coon (Nick) of Mount Vernon, Ohio; great-granddaughters, Ava, Charlee, and Grayson; great-grandson Braxton; brother, John D. Quintier of Fort Myers, Florida; sister, Margaret Sirianni of Fort Myers, Florida; nieces and nephews, Stephanie Sirianni and Sam Sirianni, Jr. of Fort Myers, Florida, John F. Quintier of Bluefield, Virginia and Jade Quintier Palmquist (Cody) of Fort Myers, Florida; great nephew, Frederick Boettjer (Jennifer). Several cousins especially the John Tassitino and Quintier families, with whom she remained in contact. 

Lee Beckett graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Beckley, West Virginia, in 1949. She immediately started working for the Beckley Newspaper Corporation. She was one of six students who were offered an opportunity to learn newspaper publishing, writing, and reporting. Lee worked for several years in the newspaper business. 

As a young woman, Lee had set a goal for herself, to attend college and become a teacher. She decided to leave her job with the Beckley Newspaper Corporation and accepted a position at Marshall University in their library. After working and saving enough money for her tuition, Lee enrolled as a student at Marshall. She continued working full-time while she completed her Bachelor Degree in Education. During her time at Marshall University, she met and later married her beloved husband, Edward R. Beckett Jr. They were married for 55 years prior to Edward’s death on March 1, 2014.

Lee spent 43 years as a teacher, coach, and mentor to so many. Her professional ambition in life had always been to teach. She was a dedicated educator and advocate for each student with whom she came in contact. She envisioned potential in all her students and felt it was most important for them to recognize the same in themselves, encouraging them to find their strengths and to envision the unlimited possibilities for their futures. Lee always said, “every child is special” and every child deserves a chance.

She was never satisfied with children being led to believe that they needed to “settle” for less than they deserved. She encouraged them to strive for better, dream of what COULD be, and seek to achieve it. With her indomitable “you CAN do it” attitude, constant support, and patience, Lee helped to change lives and make the world a better place. If you’d met her, you’d remember her. If you needed her, she would always be in your corner. 

In her career Lee worked with all grade levels and at the collegiate level. She taught at York High School, Athens Middle School, and Ohio University. Lee also mentored many students from the Ohio University College of Education, who needed field placement prior to their graduation. She enthusiastically coached thousands of children and young adults in their various athletic pursuits and worked many summers assisting in the Athens City Recreation Program. After retiring from the State of Ohio in 1989, she moved to Florida with her husband. She was recruited of out retirement to teach for 11 more years within the Lee County School System in Fort Myers, Florida.

Lee was a lifetime member of the Ohio Education Association, the National Education Association, and an active member of Phi Delta Kappa. She was a past President of the Athens County Education Association and was selected as a member of the State of Ohio Department of Education, Health, Physical, Education, and Recreation Advisory Committee. Lee was awarded Outstanding Teacher in Athens County Schools and was inducted into the Athens High School Athletic Hall of Fame, for her years of athletic coaching leadership.

Always dedicated to empowering and lifting others up, Lee served with many charities in Ohio. She and her husband Edward acted as committee co-chairs for the United Way Campaigns, United Appeal Campaigns, and was a past President and Board Member of the United Appeal in Athens County. 

With her husband Ed, Lee led an active social and civic life attending parties, holiday events, caroling in the snow (and snow angels with Shirley), attending cotillions, dances, public service events, community events, engaging in volunteerism, fundraisers and providing care and compassion to those less fortunate.

Lee always took great joy in watching sports and was a staunch supporter of athletics. Her television was never without ESPN, or a good ball game. In her youth and young adulthood, she participated in basketball, softball, dodgeball, dance, and gymnastics. 

Although her body didn’t always cooperate, at 93 years old, Lee had a spirit of youthful energy and was forward thinking, supportive, and “sassy” until the end. In her final days she was still rooting for her favorite sports teams, having a biweekly glass of red wine during our “nightcaps with Nana”, enjoying a good “perfectly plain cheeseburger” and fries, playing her Lotto and scratchers, and loving and laughing with her family, friends, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion and would always let you know how “special” and respected you were. 

Lee was a remarkable mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She embodied the best qualities of human nature: unconditional love, unending generosity of spirit, compassion, and respect. All exemplified through her care of others. Each day she expressed her love, pride, and respect for us. We always knew how much she loved us, and she knew how much we loved her. “Mother” Beckett committed herself to maintaining a sense of normalcy, protection and care for her daughters and those she considered her “children”, spending many years prioritizing their needs above her own.

Lee lived a life filled with tremendous passion and service towards others. A life marked by kindness, empathy, and the capacity to impart compassion to all those whose lives she touched, no matter their station or status.

Her departure leaves a void in our lives which cannot be filled. As we struggle with her loss, we find comfort in our memories, the unconditional love she shared, and the knowledge that she is with our Heavenly Father and all those who passed before her.

Her legacy, exemplified by her strength, leadership, and unwavering belief in the capacity for greatness of the human spirit, will continue to inspire and guide us. Always reminding us that we are forever connected to one another through Spirit; our source of determination, perseverance, and resilience; allowing us to push forward in the face of adversity and emerge stronger on the other side. This is what she believed; this is what she desired for us all.

Her legacy forever reminds us that we are in control of our destiny and how we choose to live life; and just like Lee Beckett we too can choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.

She lived a full and honorable life. 

A Funeral service will be conducted Friday, October 4th at 1:00 pm at Hughes Funeral Home, 168 Morris Avenue, Athens, Ohio. Friends may call Friday at the funeral home from 11:00 am until the time of service. The burial will be in Athens Memory Gardens. Years ago, a scholarship fund was developed by two of Lee’s former students and cherished friends, Terry and Susie Conner. The scholarship benefits students wishing to pursue college after high school. Lee saw this as a tremendous honor and a great opportunity to help many students seeking to further their education. If you wish, you may make memorial contributions to The Lee Beckett Legacy Scholarship Fund, through the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. https://appalachianohio.org/grow/scholarships/