Mildred Ethel Beck died in the presence of her family on Mother's Day. She was born March 17, 1920 in Virginia, MN, the daughter of Niina Elizabeth Laakonen and Nestor Heikkinen. She graduated with degrees from the U. of Minnesota and Columbia University Teachers' College. For 33 years she was an educator in Minnesota and New York. After retiring as a guidance counselor, she was active in many community organizations, including the Finger Lakes Finns, Tompkins County Office for the Aging, Longview, HaveaHeart, the City Federation of Women's Organizations, the Unitarian Church of Ithaca, Area Congregations Together, League of Women Voters and American Association of University Women. She was the recipient of Women Making History Award in 2003 from the City Federation of Women's Organizations. Ethel was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Paul W. Beck. She is survived by her children, Karen Beck and Larry Beck (Gay Johnson); and her grandsons, Jared Owen Beck and Micah Jordan Beck; and nieces and cousins in Minnesota and Finland. Ethel traveled extensively throughout Europe, Central America, the former Soviet Union, Japan, and China. She had the ability to meet a stranger and befriend them in a heartbeat. Her instructions were that, in lieu of donations or flowers, "say YES to Life." Bangs Funeral Home will be assisting the family.
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