Mary Elizabeth Beam

Mary Todd Beam was born February 12, 1931 in Dayton, Ohio during the depression. She loved to tell stories about that time in her life and how it felt to live during WWII. Even up to her death, she could sing many songs that she learned as a child during that time. Mary adored those hard times as she told how it made her appreciate so many little moments of life such as eating an orange when so many foods were being rationed. While a nursing student, she met the love of her life, Don Beam, on a blind date that their parents arranged. After a long dating period, Mary and Don secretly became husband and wife on July 22, 1950 as the nursing program would not allow students to be married. Because of this rule, she left nursing prior to getting her diploma to be a devoted wife and a mother. Don and Mary had three children; Julie, Donna (spouse Michael High) and Daniel (spouse Kathy). Mary began her love of painting at a very young age when she won a scholarship in the third grade to study art for a brief time at the Dayton Art Institute. Once her children were teens, Mary began her pursuit of painting with watercolors while studying with well known artists. Outdoor art shows were a common weekend event for her as well as her daughter, Julie, and even little Dan won an award with his creative owl painting. The painting style of Mary Beam gradually changed from realistic barns and covered bridges to a more impressionistic style. Mary enjoyed teaching art to others and taught nationally and internationally for over thirty years as a very popular workshop teacher. A nationally recognized artist, Mary was an elected member of the American Watercolor Society, becoming a Dolphin Fellow (Mary’s proudest artistic achievement); in addition, she won the Gold Medal of Honor in New York City in 1996 and 2002. She is one of only five women who have won the gold medal and only two women who received the award twice in its 135 year history (celebrating its 150 anniversary in 2017). In addition, she is a member of the National Watercolor Society and Ohio Watercolor society, where she has been awarded medals as well. Her works have been included in several major exhibitions, including the National Academy of Design, and can be found in collections in the U.S. and abroad. She authored two books, Celebrate Your Creative Self and The Creative Edge; additionally, she created the video “An Acrylic Journey: From Trash to Treasure.” Mary was chosen to represent the United States in the First and Second International Exhibit in Nanjing, China. Her painting, “Where Crickets Dwell” did not make the return trip as it sold on its journey around the world. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Don Beam, on February 7, 2013, both of her parents, Edward Russell Todd and Ruby Leota Ashworth Todd, and her daughter, Julie Beam Lauch, on November 27, 1999. Mary was married to her beloved Don for sixty three years. She adored her grandchildren, Adam High (spouse Cynthia) and Sarah Beam (spouse Naasir). Mary was a member of Liberty Church in Cosby, Tennessee. She immersed herself in hearing Pastor John’s sermons and often commented on how these sermons gave her strength to get through the week until she heard him preach again the following Sunday. Her life ended where Mary wanted to be: her beloved log cabin in the mountains. Mary was 91 years old when she passed away on March 14, 2022. She will be buried at the Mt. Zion Park Cemetery in Beavercreek, Ohio near where she once lived. There will be a graveside service on Friday March 18, 2022 at 2:45 pm. The family would like to thank the caregivers (Holly’s Helping Hands) who helped Mary during her last months. Their compassion and caring will never be forgotten. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association. www.tobiasfuneralhome.com