Beth Ann Vacanti's Obituary
Beth Vacanti, age 92 years, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2014 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville.
She was born January 8, 1922 in San Jose, California to parents Isador Silverman and Rena Byrd (Lesser) Silverman.
Beth grew up an only child, full of curiosity, wonder and creativity. Following her graduation at UC Berkeley in 1943 with a degree in art, she married Chuck, the love of her life, in 1944. His Air Force career carried them and their three kids to locations around the world. Following Chuck’s death in 1969, Beth returned to California where she taught art in Los Angeles for 18 years. She relocated to Fayetteville in 1988. Beth taught art lessons and was a founding member of the Artists of NW Arkansas, which now has over 200 members. During her career she painted approximately 30 original oil paintings and won a number of prestigious awards.
After the death of her husband, Beth’s purpose in life was to lovingly help family, friends and any other living soul that crossed her path. She was loved in return by stangers, family and friends. Her sense of joy and love of animals and others touched everyone she knew and they will forever carry a piece of her in their hearts.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles Vacanti, and a son, Gary Vacanti.
She is survived by two daughters, Terry Dushan and husband Joseph, of Fayetteville; Kate Siegenthaler and husband Lyle, of Bentonville; grandchildren, Gregory Dushan and wife Beth Ann, of Omaha, Nebraska; Douglas Dushan and wife Stephanie, of Omaha, Nebraska, and Lindsay Schnarr and husband Nate, of Amherst, Massachusetts; Heather Siegenthaler of Marionville, Missouri; nine great-grandchildren, Parker and Maddie Dushan, of Omaha, Nebraska; William and Tobias Rischling, of Omaha, Nebraska; Quinton, Elliana, and Trayce Randall, all of Omaha, Nebraska, and Lily Meisinger and Sophia Wray, also of Omaha, Nebraska.
A celebration of Beth’s life will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 East Longview, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the wonderful people at Willard Walker Hospice Home who took such marvelous care of Beth. Your kindness and caring attitudes were exemplary and will be treasured by Beth’s family. Thank you.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to The Willard Walker Hospice Home, P.O. Box 356, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72702.
To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.
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