In loving memory of Beth Avary (nee Schaefer) 14th of April, 1941 — May 4th, 2008.

Born Mary Elizabeth Schaefer in Indianapolis, Indiana to Edward George and Mildred Virginia Schaefer (nee Patterson). A painter since the age of 4, Beth studied art at the Chicago Art Institute and Northwestern University before graduating cum laude from the California College of Arts and Crafts. As a flight attendant ferrying troops to Vietnam she met Air Force pilot Donald Davis Avary, whom she later married.

Beth and Don dropped roots in the San Francisco Bay Area where they raised three children, Diana Kimberly Avary, Arthur Colbert Avary, and Eric Roberts Avary. Beyond these Beth is also survived by her daughter-in-law Michelle Lynne Avary (nee French), wife of Eric and mother to Beth’s grandson, Beckett Roberts Avary, as well as her loving partner, Bill Slay, of Boulder Creek, California.

During the family years Beth remained committed to her art which was inspired by the works of symbolist painters. Her work explored various genres of art, including Visionary, Space, and Fantasy before settling on a celebration of landscapes that she termed Naturalistic Expressionism.

“Painting is a form of communication that is different than words… You always grow as an artist. There is never an end to the growth, and what keeps me going is the feeling that I’ve accomplished something and mastered something new. It’s such a joy to paint because you see a painting evolve and manifest, and you never know exactly how it’s going to turn out.”

In April of this year Beth was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma. She fought bravely and gracefully with the same open and optimistic attitude that she had maintained throughout her life. She remains an inspiration to all who’ve known her.

The Avary family will hosting gatherings throughout the day of Saturday, June 7th, beginning as early as 11:30 Am at Dinah?s Garden Hotel, followed by a 2:00 PM memorial at Alta Mesa Cemetery in Palo Alto, California.

No flowers, please! If you feel moved to give something, please consider donating to The Carcinoid Cancer Foundation.

As Mother?s Day approaches, thoughts of Mother this year run especially deep and are etched by flashes, pictures, sounds, quietness, strength of Beth, who just a week ago moved beyond leaving indelible memories of her life, her work as an artist, a woman soaring a pre chosen path all of her life and those along the way, her children in particular who encouraged, often echo her color, music, quiet steps, calculated abandonment in paint and color.

My first encounter with Beth, was the return of Don from Vietnam and both were staying at 2073 Santa Cruz.  I walked into the back bedroom and there stood a tall and willowy woman in bikini panties, no bra, slightly tangled hair at her shoulders, her right hand twirling a curl of a lock between her fingers. A gesture that would be recognized over and over thru the years. A quiet smile that rose with the end of her lips and cheeks almost signature of Beth and can be seen in the photo recently shared by Kimi.

She seldom engrossed in small talk, but appeared to listen and sometimes one wasn’t sure she was even listening, perhaps her art were her words because she lived on the tree tops, in the celestials of the heavens and the mind.

Her brief illness and last days and quiet passing surrounded by the full support of family both close and extended, showing no fear and I suspect quiet acceptance of the ëahead of her or perhaps resignation to the fate of the Gods.

She leaves a hugeness of her presence, a legacy to her children, her ex husband; close and entrusted friend, her loving companion Bill, a multitude of friends, the art world.

I keep hearing that her art will live on and indeed it will, but it is Beth and her spirit which live on permeating beyond her art, the love of animals, the individuality of a pioneer woman.

Her children, Kimi, Eric, Arthur are her legacy!