A Life Well Spent
Editor’s Note: Bea Zeeck, who was a WORDster long before she signed up for this daily spam several years ago, died last week. We honor and salute her today not because of her passing, but because of her life of words, curiosity and journalism that filled the previous 88 years, from a Missouri journalism degree in 1943 to a final round of Jeopardy. The following from two tributes.
“Her family laughed and shook their heads Friday as they told sometimes bizarre stories about her life, her career and her fierce appetite for knowledge.“Even in her final hours, her grandson Phillip Zeeck said, Bea wanted to know what the question was for the day’s final round of ‘Jeopardy.’
“‘She was so engaged her entire life,’ said Phillip, a law student who spent a recent summer living with his grandmother. ‘From the mailman to what was happening in Washington, she was engaged in the world around her. She never lost that acutely inquisitive mind.’”
Among her principles: “A free press is the bedrock of a free society. ‘Democracy only works if people know what’s going on,’ she would say. ‘Journalism is how they know.’
“She believed newspapers should print all they know. Her favorite newspaper motto: ‘If you don’t want to read it in the paper, don’t let it happen.’ And she would point out the slogan chiseled over the main entrance to The Amarillo Globe and News: ‘A newspaper may be forgiven for lack of wisdom, but never for lack of courage.’”
Photo: Family photo of Beatrice Thrapp
at the newspaper in Chico, Calif., in the 1940s.
at the newspaper in Chico, Calif., in the 1940s.
Editor’s Note: People you wish you’d known better.
Today’s PeezPix: Red Poppy #14
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Many appreciative comments and feedback about the late, great Bea Zeeck. Read on.
ReplyDeleteTed
Ted, I never had the privilege of meeting Bea Zeeck, but I've just added her quote to the rotating collection at the top of EditTeach (www.editTeach.org).
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Deborah
You did a lovely thing today, Ted. Wonderful to pay tribute to this woman many of us would like to have known. Thanks.
ReplyDelete--Betty
Sounds like my kinda gal, Ted. I’ll take a deal right now on 88.
ReplyDelete--Bud
The Amarillo Globe and News: 'A newspaper may be forgiven for lack of wisdom, but never for lack of courage.'” Very neat.
ReplyDelete—Tony
What a wonderful woman! Wish I'd known her. Hope there are new Bea's out there, holding her line.
ReplyDelete—Jane
What a kind and sweet thing to do. She would've been slightly embarrassed, but she would've loved this.
ReplyDeleteVisit if you ever get this way. I'll buy the beer...
—Zeeck
Great article by David Zeeck (her son), and great example of a true journalist (and a terrific mom) overall.
ReplyDeleteGreat quotes, too, esp.that newspaper motto: "If you don’t want to read it in the paper, don’t let it happen"! Would love to know which newspaper.
—Alexandra
Great start to the day! Thanks.
ReplyDelete—Catherine