Pauline R. Hall Beck

July 29, 1934 – Jan. 15, 2012

Pauline Ruth (Hall) Beck, 77, died on Jan 15 in Portland from complications related to Alzheimer's. Throughout her illness she never lost her sunny disposition or bright, beautiful smile.

She was born on July 29, 1934, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, to Irene and Clifford Hall.

She studied nursing at Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary, Canada, where a highlight in her life was meeting Louis Armstrong.

In 1958 she met Patrick Beck, when he was admitted to the Emergency Room at the Fort Macleod hospital, where she worked. She said he was the worst patient she ever had. His friends made him go back and apologize the next day and then he kept returning, asking her to dinner, and she kept saying “no” until he wore her down and she went out with him. The next day he jumped on the bus she was taking to California. By San Francisco she had agreed to marry him and they were married a week after they reached California. They were happily married until his death in 1995.

They moved to Long Beach, Calif, where daughter Julie was born in 1961 and son Stewart in 1965.

Mrs. Beck worked as a nurse at Disneyland, a perfect job for the blue-eyed “Tinkerbell.”

In 1967 the Becks moved to Tigard. Shaun was born in 1969, and Kristin in 1971.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Mrs. Beck worked as director of nurses at Tigard Care Center and at King City Convalescent Center, teaching CNA classes and classes on death and dying. She transported patients to Asia and brought back 47 orphans to waiting families, all with amazing stories.

Her world was her children, natural and chosen, like Jamie and so many others who needed a safe haven and a mother's love. She was involved in every facet of their lives; her house was full of children, crafts, games and fun.

Each grandchild was her absolute favorite, and at weekends one could find her up all night with them, sleeping bags all over the floor, playing video games. She could save the princess, usually crocheting a blanket and beating one at cribbage at the same time.

She was energetic, funny, resourceful, happy and adventurous. She lived in Hawaii before it was a state.

Mrs. Beck was loved by her family, students, patients and friends, and loved them all back, completely.

Preceding her in death was her husband Pat and son Stewart.

Survivinng are children Julie Beck Joachims, Shaun Beck, Kristin Beck and Jamie Baxter; grandchildren Ryan, Brittany, Stacey, Spenser, Sebastian and Oliver; and great-grandsons Jaxon and Trenton.

Services for Pauline Ruth Beck will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. in Christ The King Lutheran Church, 11302 S.W. Bull Mountain Road, followed by a reception at the Beck family home.