Gwendolyn Nadene Shipman Beckmann
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Gwendolyn Nadene Shipman Beckmann
July 13, 1925 – January 15, 2021
Gwen Beckmann died in her sleep early Friday at age 95, at her home at Heritage Avonlea of Gladstone.
She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. She loved life and loved to tease whoever might be in the room. She was an avid reader, a wonderful cook, a sharp wit, a person of great faith, and the best Mom anywhere.
She and her husband, Thomas W. Beckmann, who passed in 2011, were married for 63 years. They enjoyed road trips with the whole family singing along the way, exploring the entire country, from D.C. to L.A. and Tampa to Chicago. Back in the day, the family also enjoyed square dancing, trips to The Lake of the Ozarks, and getting together with family and friends. Family were life-long members of the United Methodist Church in both St. Louis (St. Marks UMC) and Kansas City (North Cross UMC).
Both Tom and Gwen held leadership roles in Eastern Star, and were also members of White Shrine, The Order of the Amaranth and The Social Order of Beauceant, among others. Once retired, they spent many years traveling all over Missouri (and beyond) to help and visit with various chapters of these organizations, and friends of these organizations.
Gwen worked as bookkeeper for the Hazelwood School District in St. Louis County while her children were growing up. She also worked for Gulf Oil while living in New Orleans, and for Mid-Coast Aviation in St. Louis. Mom loved life and enjoyed reading, cooking, and being with friends. She also loved entertaining, her New Year’s Day ham and beans feast became a tradition.
She was preceded in death by sisters Sue Jackson and Gloria Shipman. She is also survived by her sister Sandra Gibson of Tennessee, two nieces and one nephew.
Missing her forever are her son, Greg Beckmann (Janet Cromley) of Long Beach, Calif.; daughter, Deborah Mason (Lynn Mason) of Kansas City; granddaughters Sarah Mason Cluckey of Kansas City and Danielle Beckmann (Timothy Reese) of Sherman Oaks, Calif., and great-grandson Corbin Cluckey, whom she loved with all her heart.
Many of you may remember Gwen wearing an Angel pin on her shoulder most all the time. She said it was her Guardian Angel, meaning our Father. She’s our Guardian Angel now. We love you, Mom.
I have a Guardian Angel
She’s my Mom
and my best friend
I know I can rely on her
She will be there to the end
I may not need her often
But when I do she’ll say
Don’t worry
Things will be all right
And she will be there
straight away
I cherish my Guardian Angel
I know that she will be
With me each and every day
Through all Eternity
Donations in memory of Gwen Beckmann may be made to North Cross United Methodist Church, 1321 NE Vivion Road, Kansas City, MO 64118
Gwen was such a sweet lady. I loved hugging her when I walked by her pew after communion. I will miss that if we ever get to go back to church. I also can see her peeling potatoes for the potato soup at our super sale. Such a special lady. Heaven has an angel.
I felt very fortunate to get to know Gwen these last few years. I treasured her hugs & our conversations. She will be greatly missed.
What a beautiful tribute to my beautiful Grandmother. I miss you so much already, Grandma. May you rest in sweet peace, and may you be with Grandpa once again. Sending all my love.
Gwen was one of the most loving, caring people I’ve ever known. When she asked, “How are you?” She listened with her ears and with heart. Her loving concern when my own mother died meant so much to me. I wish her children and grandchildren comfort in this time of loss. Her light will shine on in memory.
We will forever miss Grandma Gwen. She was such a wonderful part of our family for so many years. She brought laughter and joy to every event. She was such a good listener and showed care and concern for many. We look forward to our reunion with her in heaven.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Gwen was all of these things. The sparkle in her eyes always made me feel like I was wrapped in her love. We met in a grief help group at Northcross United Methodist Church. I never realized Gwen was so much older then I. We would talk for hours on the phone. We would laugh and love each other as we shared our love of Our Lord Jesus. I have always had issues with self-control. Knowing the the calmness of being around Gwen gave me hope I could overcome that flaw in my character.
Remembering her loving smile will always help me in my sad days. We are blessed for having Gwen be a part of our lives.
Down a side isle, three rows from the front and in an isle seat was a dear friend. I would lead great-grandson Corbin, so that he could pass in front of her knees and I would notice the symbolic angel on the back of her outer garment. Having then passed in front of Gwen I would seek to extend greetings. That idea was short lived because ladies—from all around—would come to talk with her. I would silently back away and let that loving conversation take place with my absence. I will miss my dear friend, as will a host of those who knew her.
Debbie’s father-in-law
I cherish memories of Gwen! She was a mentor and a spiritual friend. I would always check on her guardian angel and in the many years I knew her, she never showed up at church without one on her shoulder! Conversations with Gwen were loving and caring. She was always more concerned about somebody else than herself. She will be greatly missed.
LaDonna Ebright
Gwen was such a classy, caring person. She will be missed. But she joins a choir of angels!
Gwen was a sweet, dear lady with a generous smile and a sense of humor. I will miss her greatly.
I remember the day I met you, Gwen. You were laying in your bed at Garden Valley after you injured your back. I went to do an assessment on you to see if you can live at Avonlea. You made me laugh so much that day. From the day you moved in at Avonlea to the day before you left us, you filled my heart with soooooooo much love and laughter. I love you, Gwen. Fly high
Gwen you have been reunited with Tom come into the presence of God Almighty what joy that must be! Gwen you and Tom met so much to our family when we moved in the apartment right across from you back in 2006. Our son Jefferson was in second grade and you took to him immediately it was just like having a second set of grandparents right next-door. Never will forget the time Jefferson spent half a day with you and Tom while Larry and I were working. When Jefferson got back home I asked him what they did during that time and he gladly said we ate frozen grapes and we wash the eggs but we got water on the floor and Gwen was not real happy about us getting water on the floor but we got it cleaned up. I said washed eggs what do you mean? Jefferson said we had to wash the eggs in the pot of water after they cooked to get all the shells and scrub them clean. Gwen was going to make the devil of the eggs. We ate the devil of the eggs later and they were so good. Gwen makes the best deviled eggs.To this day Jefferson said Gwen’s “devil of the eggs” were the best of any he ever ate.
Gwen was such a sweetheart even after Tom went to be with the Lord I cherish the times of us talking together laughing sharing and even crying at times together. Gwen was such a rich soul. We rejoice in their homecoming and being re-united. We long for the time down the road when we will be able to see them again when we are joined with our Lord and Savior in heaven above and countless friends like Tom and Gwen. Blessings and strength to the family you come from a rich heritage. May the Lord be with you, strengthen you and keep you in this time. Blessings!!
So sad to hear of my Aunt Gwen’s passing. I have many fond memories of holidays past at her home and ours. Sending peace and love to my cousins out west. Much love to you all ?
I have so many good memories of visits with Gwen and Tom. Most of our contacts were connected to our family memberships at North Cross United Methodist Church. Gwen and I enjoyed many telephone chats also! The memories often include other members of the Beckmann family and appreciation for the impact on the lives of Bob and Beverly Whitaker. May the family now find peace and blessings with good memories.
So wonderful to read all of the lovely messages and stories about my Mom. She was the best Mom ever. I knew early on that I and my brother had been blessed with caring, loving parents.
The greatest gift I feel they gave to me was teaching me about their faith, and about Our Savior. Oh, the many questions I had, which were answered to the best of their ability. Did they have all the answers? No. But they knew the Bible had many answers and that with a relationship with Christ, the specifics sometimes become mute. Use the Golden Rule and follow Christ’s teachings, and the rest will fall in place. It is simple, really, when you think about it. I know this is what my parents did.
Thank you to everyone for all the amazing messages, and cards. Every comment touched our hearts greatly.
I love and miss you Mom.
I was so sorry to learn of Gwen’s death when Deborah telephoned me yesterday. I met Gwen when she and Tom moved to Savannah (Tom’s hometown) after their marriage in the mid-forties. They attended Epworth UMC along with many of us who grew up with Tom. One of our class-mates was killed in WW11, and we decided to name our S.S. Class in his memory. Tom was elected our 1st President, and he and Gwen were the glue that held all of us together. It was a very strong and vibrant class, and continued “strong” for more than 55 years. We had a reunion on our 50th anniversary and more than 80 members returned to spend the weekend together at the church, and of course Gwen and Tom came from Mo. to be with us.
Gwen was always a loving and jolly person to be with and she always supported Tom in any projects he may undertake. Their faith in Jesus Christ was always their main focus and they instilled their faith to their precious children, and grandchildren. It was a sad day for me (and so many others), but I’m sure it was a glorious day when she entered her heavenly home to be with God and her precious Tom.