Shirley Needham Beckett

Shirley Needham Beckett, 98, of Davenport, IA, passed away Friday, November 4, 2022, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House surrounded by her loving family. Reception and Informal Service will be from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 8, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bettendorf with prayers and remarks beginning at 1:30 p.m. The family invites you to share stories of Shirley’s life during the gathering. Memorial contributions may be made to P.E.O. Foundation to fund educational opportunities for women. Online condolences may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com

Shirley was born June 21, 1924 in Patterson, California to parents Ray and Edna Needham. Tragically losing both of her parents by the time she was 9, she and her sister Alice were raised by their aunt, Violet Pammel. She also lived part of each year with her Aunt Harriet and Uncle Jimmy in Auburn, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn High School in 1941 and the University of Vermont in 1945.

Shirley met her first husband, Donald Scott Wilkins, who was stationed in Burlington, VT, at the Episcopal Church; they married in Boston, MA in June of 1946. Upon moving to Iowa City, she earned an MS degree in Dietetics from the University of Iowa, while Don finished a residency in anesthesiology. Don passed away while serving in a MASH unit in the Korean War in 1950; their son Scott was born a month later.

Shirley met Royce Beckett through mutual friends in Iowa City; they were married in December 1954. They raised two daughters, Susan and Barbara, along with son Scott, while Royce was a faculty member at the University of Iowa. In 1967 they moved to Bettendorf for a decade. Lifelong Episcopalians, they were among the founders of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Bettendorf. The Becketts were very active in community and church activities, which they continued after moving to Auburn, Alabama in 1977. While living in Iowa City they had become active in Democratic politics, even hosting the Iowa Caucus in their home, and continued that involvement throughout their lives. Shirley served in various volunteer capacities for the Girl Scouts in the 1970s. Shirley was particularly dedicated to her membership in PEO, where she was a third-generation member. She was President of her chapter in Auburn, Alabama and chaired the 1990 Alabama PEO State Convention.

Shirley was a soft spoken and kind individual who loved to travel. She enjoyed the outdoors and hiking from an early age. Throughout their lives, she and Royce planned extended summer driving vacations, introducing their children to national parks and historical sites in the U.S. and Canada. She helped to provide a home away from home for the international students who worked with her husband. The couple taught several courses for the Auburn University lifelong learning program and helped to found the Auburn Food Bank. Shirley loved college football and basketball. She was a passionate card player, still enjoying games with her neighbors and family members until her last days.

Shirley is survived by son Scott (Kim), daughters Susan Beckett and Barb (Doyle) Harris, grandchildren Tracy (Mark) Crowley, Bryan (Rachel) Harris, Kim (Shawn) Parr, Clay (Loren) Beckett, great grandchildren Max, Ava, and Ethan Crowley, Benjamin and Eleanor Beckett, Kaitlyn and Tristin Parr.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.