Mary Jane Beck

   Mary Jane Beck, 99, of New Holland, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 at Garden Spot Village. Born in Terre Hill, she was the daughter of the late Elwood B. and Gwendolen Clime Redcay. Mary Jane was the loving wife of the late Edgar O. Beck who died in August of 2008 following 61 years of marriage. Mary Jane worked alongside her husband helping with the Edgar O. Beck Funeral Home for over 50 years. Following her graduation from Terre Hill High School in 1942; Mary Jane worked as the Executive Secretary for the President of Frank Ix and Sons, Textiles & Apparel Manufacturing Company in New Holland. She was the oldest member of St. Stephen Reformed Church, New Holland, where she served on the Altar Guild. Previously, she was an active and faithful member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Terre Hill, where she was a member of the choir, served as Sunday school teacher, and was a member of the Four-Leaf Clover Adult Sunday school class. As they moved on in life, the class and their teacher stayed together. They were known as the “Terre Hill church girls” who stayed together throughout their lives. They celebrated each birthday together, the joys and sorrows of life and now they are all together in their heavenly home. 

    Mary Jane enjoyed volunteering in the New Holland Community with memberships with the Ladies Auxiliary of the Liberty Fire Co. Number One, New Holland, the New Holland Business and Professional Women’s Club, and the New Holland American Legion Auxiliary. For many years, Mary Jane was instrumental in helping with the New Holland Kiwanis Club fund raising event. She often sold over a hundred dozen roses. Mary Jane willingly gave of her time to help local fund-raising campaigns for the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association. She enjoyed flower gardening, reading, music, traveling abroad as well as in the United States and Canada. Mary Jane was adept at having beautiful handwriting. She delighted in doing calligraphy, English lettering for birth certificates, wedding anniversary announcements, or special projects for family and friends. Throughout her life Mary Jane had a true servant’s heart; always giving of herself to her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends, and community. She was never a keeper or collector of things, but was lovingly known for her genuine generosity and how she would freely give of herself to help others. She had a deep passion for her family, and cherished all the time she could spend being with them. 

   Surviving is a daughter, Catherine J., wife of J. Richard Eby of New Holland, three sons: William E., husband of Susan A. Beck of Denver, Nathaniel J., husband of Michelle M. Beck of Lititz, Theodore J., husband of Connie L. Beck of Lititz, six grandchildren: Dr. Jeffrey R. Eby, husband of Dr. Margot T. Kusienski, Kimberley Anne Eby, Jill Suzanne, wife of Shawn Hackman, Aura Lee, wife of Sean Heisey, Tanner Christian, husband of Melissa Beck, Joseph John, husband of Brandi Hills, seven great grandchildren: Kendall Elizabeth Eby, Hayden Grace Eby, Avery Ann Hackman, Maren Sage Heisey, Gemma Caroline Heisey, Scarlett Jetta Hills, Hayden James Ungles. Preceding her in death is a brother, Mark C. Redcay and a sister, Lucille Y. Myers Willwerth. 

   Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Mary Jane’s Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving in the chapel at Garden Spot Village, 433 South Kinzer Avenue, New Holland, on Friday, November 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM. Friends may visit with the family in the chapel on Friday afternoon from 1:00 PM until the time of the service. Interment will be private in St. Stephen Reformed Cemetery, New Holland. Those desiring may send contributions in Mary Jane’s memory to honor her life of growing up in her beloved Terre Hill to: The Northeastern Lancaster County Food Bank, P.O. Box 611, Terre Hill, PA 17581, or The Terre Hill Park, 300 Broad Street, Terre Hill, PA 17581, or The Terre Hill Historical Society, 131 West Main Street, Terre Hill, PA 17581.