WILMINGTON — Jane Kendall Beam Houck 84, passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday January 30, 2023 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, NC.
She was born March 25, 1938 in Shelby, NC the daughter of Dr. Augustus Pitt Beam and May Kendall Beam.
She was predeceased by her parents; husband John A. Houck; son Robert K. Hedrick; and brother Pitt Beam.
Jane grew up in Shelby, NC helping her mother, grandmother and brother run the family Bed & Breakfast business (her father passed when she was eighteen months old).
Jane was a ballerina, artist, equestrian and debutant. She attended Meredith College in Raleigh, NC.
She’d loved life and had a wonderful sense of humor with a great laugh.
She loved adventure and had tons gumption! In the late 70s, she bought her first motorcycle; she loved to skydive, and anything to do with water… sailing, kayaking and scuba diving.
Halloween was her favorite holiday but made Christmas the most magical time of year.
She loved fairies, gardening, and Harry Potter. She was an avid reader and loved to write.
She was tremendously creative and a remarkable artist; she drew, painted, was a sculpture, made beaded jewelry. She designed and created whimsical fairy dolls; every fairy costume sewn to the finest detail. She was featured in several doll artist magazines.
Jane was an entrepreneur, owned specialty advertising businesses in Raleigh, NC and Marathon, FL; creative businesses: Plain Jane Dolls and Plain Jane’s Poesies and Plants in Sandown, NH.
But the best thing she ever did, was be a Mom. She is forever loved and will be missed by many.
Jane is survived by two sons and one daughter; Peter M. Hedrick (wife Linda Hedrick), Benjamin B. Hedrick (wife Laura Ortiz) and Katherine W. Hedrick. She was blessed with 2 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; grandson Robert A. Hedrick, his children Carter Hedrick, Gavin Hedrick, Madison Hedrick; granddaughter Shelby E. Hedrick (husband Alexei Verdi); their children Tobias Hedrick, Kendall Hedrick.
Jane was a huge animal advocate; she volunteered many years for the human society, as a foster Mom to many lucky cats and kittens. The family asks in lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation in Jane’s name to a local animal rescue or shelter.
