Anne Louise Beckner

It is with great sadness that the family of Anne Beckner, née Storms, announces her passing on May 14, 2020 at the age of 87. Anne was born in Brooksville, Florida to Kenneth and Louise Storms and lived in Austin, Texas. A two-time cancer survivor, Anne was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing. She leaves behind son Paul (Helen) Beckner, daughter Meredith (Tom) Perreault, grandson John David Beckner and son-in-law Robert Graham. Two of her children predeceased her, James David Beckner and Laura Lee Graham.

Anne’s childhood was spent in Florida, living on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts and accompanying her father on fishing trips to central Florida, which remained among her most cherished memories. Anne moved with her family to Virginia, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. She also pursued graduate studies in psychology in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Anne had a lifelong commitment to community service and volunteerism. She dedicated herself to making a difference in the places she lived, achieving special impact in Sarasota, Florida, and Corpus Christi and Austin, Texas. She received two Governor’s Volunteer Awards for her work in Texas on child abuse prevention. Anne learned wildlife rehabilitation to rescue shorebirds in Florida, and volunteered at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve in Austin.

In recent years, Anne was a founding member of the Querencia at Barton Creek community, serving on the Querencia Resident Council from 2009-2010. She chaired Querencia’s Scholarship Committee, which sponsors employees pursuing higher education to achieve their professional aspirations through the Querencia Resident’s Scholarship Fund. Anne was also a longtime volunteer at Westbank Library.

Anne attended University Christian Church in Austin for more than 20 years and served as a Stephen Minister. She became a Life Elder at University Christian Church in November 2017.

Anne was a devoted mother and an everlasting, wonderful friend to so many. She was a dignified and elegant person, unconditionally and gently sharing wisdom and kindness, demonstrating by example how to lead a gracious life. All who knew her have benefitted greatly from having had her in their lives.

Memorial donations may be made to the Querencia Residents’ Scholarship Fund for Employees through the Austin Community Foundation, 4315 Guadalupe Street, Suite 300 Austin, TX 78751, and University Christian Church, 2007 University Avenue Austin, TX 78705.