- NAPLES, Fla. - Carol Ann (Beck) Allard's magnificent life ended at 9:04 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, with her loving family gathered around her and quietly playing her favorite Christmas hymns. From the ornaments to the twinkling lights, Carol loved everything about this time of year.
Carol was born on July 28, 1949, in Danville, to Jacob S. and Agnes (Drullinger) Beck, the firstborn of their five girls.
From an early age, Carol loved music. Her first instruments were the piano and organ, though the violin soon called to her. Carol also adored singing, her warm contralto timbre enriching many choirs. During high school, she played timpani in concert band and snare drum in the marching band, graduating from Schlarman High School in 1967.
Carol was destined to teach, childhood games of "school" with sisters Sue, Mary, Jean and Jane leading to her earning her B.S. in education from Eastern Illinois University. During her senior year, Carol was honored by her professors and peers with the Woman of the Year Award for 1970-71. After graduation, Carol returned to her hometown, where she began teaching at Garfield Elementary. She taught the fifth and sixth grade, serving as unit leader and curriculum coordinator.
At the end of her seventh year in the classroom, Carol's father, Jacob Beck, asked her to join the family business, Danville Metal Stamping, as head of human resources. Carol greatly enjoyed her time in HR, and it was during this period that the classmate whose locker was next to hers at Schlarman, Gregory Allard, returned to Danville and also began working at Danville Metal. It was kismet, and on July 5, 1980, Carol and Greg were married at St. Paul's Church.
After welcoming daughter Aimee and son Erik into the world, Carol elected to stay at home, often saying that her favorite career was being a mom to her children.
In 1994, Carol, Greg, Erik and Aimee moved from Danville to sunny Naples, Fla. There, Carol returned to education, this time by volunteering in her children's schools. She also enjoyed participating in the Council of Catholic Women at St. Williams and St. John's Catholic Church. In 2006, she proudly began serving as vice president of Southwest Florida EcoTours, which she and her husband ran successfully for eight years.
Carol's indomitable spirit never wavered even in the face of illness and mobility challenges. She was especially proud of her children. When Erik earned his two bachelor's degrees from Florida Gulf Coast University, and Aimee earned her B.A. and M.A. from Florida Gulf Coast University, she was bursting with pride, just as she was when Aimee accepted her Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Carol also dearly loved her son-in-law, Dr. John-Paul Ore, and thought the world of him. She adored being present at Aimee and John-Paul's wedding.
Carol is survived by her loving husband of 43 years, Gregory; son, Erik; daughter, Aimee; and son-in-law, John-Paul; as well as her sisters, Sue Beck, Mary Peck, Jean Beck and Jane Edel; sister-in-law, Janis Allard; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her and Greg's infant son, Christopher; beloved parents, Jacob and Agnes; grandparents; many dear aunts, uncles and cousins; and her brother-in-law, Richard Allard.
There will be a celebration of life for Carol this spring in Naples.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation in Carol's memory to St. Matthew's House, The Parkinson's Foundation, Avow Hospice or a charity of your choice.
Carol was the kindest, biggest-hearted person you could ever meet and was truly the best of all of us. So please take a moment to share a joke with your loved ones, smell a yellow rose (her favorite), or sing a Christmas carol in her honor. Carol was a teacher through and through and continues to teach us even now, her warm voice and laughter echoing in our hearts forever.
Published by The News-Gazette on Dec. 31, 2023.
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1949 - 2023 (74 years)
