Helen E. Beck
October 11, 1931 - January 6, 2024
Helen was an insatiably curious woman, fueled by an inner sparkle seen most in the joy of her laugh and the shine of her wonderful blue eyes. Helen Elizabeth Beck was born October 11, 1931 to Arthur and Helen Dunlop in Berkeley, California. Her early days in Berkeley were marked by an extensive social life and writing a gossip column for the Pelican, her school newspaper. Early adventures included a solo trip to Europe after college.
Eldon Beck and Helen were married in 1958 in Berkeley, forming a companionship of love, nature and adventure for over 65 years. They moved to Homestead Valley, a Mill Valley neighborhood in 1963. Their early home was transformed over the years into their dream home with a view of Mt. Tamalpais that Helen loved.
Raising their children Fred and Jean meant introducing them to the outdoor nature she and Eldon loved. The family explored locally and far afield through hikes, backpack trips in the Sierras, annual fishing trips to Hat Creek, and European vacations.
Helen was an active community volunteer, serving as Homestead School PTA President, supporting after school recreation programs, organizing local chipper days for wildfire threat reduction, and facilitating community purchase of 80 acres of Homestead Valley open space.
Helen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and worked as a Contra Costa County Social Worker. After raising their family, she received a Master’s Degree in School Psychology from San Francisco State University in the late 1970s and worked with children in the Belmont School District. At age 62, Helen received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the San Francisco School of Psychology and supported the UC Berkeley Disabled Students Program for many years. Finally, in her 80s she served as a Marin County Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
After nearly six decades in Homestead Valley, she and Eldon moved closer to downtown Mill Valley. A blessing of becoming “flatlanders” was the proximity to Cafe’ Marais where Helen and Eldon found a caring and enjoyable community with the French culture that Helen loved.
Helen’s love of nature was consistent and she loved to garden. Helen also loved hosting parties, fashion, flower arranging and sewing. A great delight in her later years was her days at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, sewing with the Couture sewing group, arranging flowers for events and being a docent for the Garden Tours.
Close friends and family have remarked how much they felt Helen’s love, support and encouragement. Helen had a great ability to listen and her life was filled with happiness, love, great variety, and many good memories.
Following a short bout with cancer, she transitioned peacefully from this life on January 6, 2024. A celebration of life will be held in the Spring at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club.