Maxine Beckley

Maxine Beckley 97, Topeka, Kansas, passed away Saturday, March 31, 2018. Maxine was born on Valentine’s Day 1921, the daughter of Benjamin and Louisa Trendel Warren. When her parents died in 1922, Maxine was taken into the home of her mother’s sister and raised by Mary and Will Schamle. She graduated from Topeka High School and married Dave N. Beckley in 1940. They enjoyed 40 years together before his death in 1980. Maxine was a long-time member of Assumption Church (current member of Christ the King Church), was past president of the Ladies’ Guild and volunteered 29 years at Assumption Grade School. She was a member and past Regent of the Daughters of Isabella; was a member and voted Woman of the Year of the Echo Chapter of the American Business Women; and was a member and past president of the Widows and Widowers Organization of Topeka. When St. Vincent’s Orphanage opened in Topeka, Maxine was one of the first officers and helped set up traditions that were carried out until its closing. She volunteered at Hayden Catholic High School and was a member of the Warm Hearts Club and was past president of Hayden Mother’s Club. She was a volunteer at St. Francis Hospital for 60 years and served as president of the Auxiliary from June of 1994 – 1996. One of Maxine’s favorite hobbies was writing poetry and short stories and some of her poems were published. Maxine composed the following poem in 2000. I’ll Know You In My Heart When I get really, really old, And I do nothing unless I’m told, Hold my hands, and look into my eyes, I may not know you in my mind. In my heart, I’ll know you are mine. Come often and visit me, Tell me about my family, Hold my hands, and look into my eyes, I may not know you in my mind. In my heart, I’ll know you’re mine. Talk about my grandchildren, and how they are doing, Talk about my daughters and my sons, What they are doing and what they have done. Hold my hands, and look into my eyes, I may not know you in my mind. In my heart, I’ll know you’re mine. Grateful to have shared Maxine’s life are her children, Marla Drees, Carol Gunckle (Bob), Linda Blanchette, David T. Beckley D.C. and Brent Beckley; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by three grandchildren. The Daughters of Isabella will lead a rosary at 4:30 on Tuesday, April 3rd, at Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Road, Topeka KS 66614, where visitation will follow until 7 p. m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Christ the King Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or to Christ the King Church, sent in care of the funeral home.

Maxine Beckley

February 14, 1921 - March 31, 2018