Memorial service for Sally Beckwith this afternoon

Sally Beckwith in 2001 production of 'Driving Miss Daisy'
with Jordan Hunt (left) and Harry Ailster (right).

 

Relatives, friends and colleagues will gather this afternoon at 3:00 at the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield to celebrate the life of longtime Plainfield resident and activist Sally Beckwith, who passed away April 20 (see the Courier obituary here).

I first met Sally not long after moving to Plainfield, when I began attending Grace Episcopal Church, where she had sung in the choir.

Always elegantly dressed and coiffed, Sally had a wonderfully rich voice and she and I sat near each other and enjoyed singing the parts to the hymns while the congregation sang the melody.

But as well as her musical gifts, Sally was deeply committed to social justice and she and I were part of the original gathering of Plainfield community members responding to the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles. Those early meetings, hosted at the Unitarian Society and chaired by its then-pastor Rev. Margot Campbell-Gross, eventually developed into Faith, Bricks and Mortar.

FB&M went on to become a major developer of affordable new and renovated housing for the Plainfield community.

Sally also brought her wit, drive and energy to the ACT IV theater group, which produces plays in the parish theater at FUSP with  local talent. Particularly memorable was the production of 'Driving Miss Daisy' in 2001 from which the above illustration was taken.

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MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR
SALLY EVANS BECKWITH

·  SATURDAY · APRIL 30 ·
3:00 PM

First Unitarian Society of Plainfield
724 Park Avenue
(Parking on the street, or in public lot across from church)

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-- Dan Damon [follow]

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