Christine Safford Beck

Christine Safford Beck passed away on November 1, 2026, at the age of 83. A woman of remarkable strength, optimism, and determination, Chris lived a life filled with family, adventure, friendship, and an unwavering belief in the potential of others.

Chris was a force. When she believed in something, she threw herself into it wholeheartedly. She had a deep commitment to helping others, particularly children who lacked the opportunities they deserved. She was a doer who brought people together, built relationships, and inspired others to invest their time and resources in causes that mattered to her.

Together with her beloved husband, Leif, she helped establish the Philadelphia chapter of the National Junior Tennis League, initially going door to door in North Philadelphia to introduce children to tennis and the opportunities it could provide. She later served as President of the Philadelphia Tennis Patrons Association and became a driving force behind the creation of the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis Center, a facility dedicated to serving young people, particularly those from underserved communities. Her friendship with Arthur Ashe and their shared belief in the power of tennis helped shape that work.

Her passion for education led her to Gesu School in North Philadelphia, where she served on the Board for many years before being asked to become President and CEO. During her eight years in that role, she guided Gesu through a period of significant growth and a major expansion of its facilities, leaving the school stronger and better equipped to serve the children of North Philadelphia. She later chaired the Children's Literacy Initiative, founded Inspirational Women of Philadelphia, and served on the board of her alma mater, Queens University in Charlotte, NC, which also awarded her an honorary doctorate. Throughout these endeavors, Chris had a gift for bringing people together around a common purpose and turning their shared commitment into meaningful results.

An accomplished tennis player who was once ranked among the top women in the country, Chris also had a wonderful sense of adventure and a lifelong love of the outdoors. She was equally happy hiking in the Colorado mountains or soaking up the sun on Florida's beaches. She and Leif shared that love of adventure with their three sons, spending six to eight weeks traveling, camping, and hiking in RVs and pop-up trailers over many summers. Chris loved photography and published several books. She earned a master’s degree in German from Bryn Mawr College and fondly recalled her time studying in Vienna during college. She adored John Denver's music, and anyone who knew her knew of her affection for the color purple.

Family was central to Chris's life. As a mother, she believed in giving her three sons "roots and wings" — a strong foundation of love and belonging, along with the confidence and independence to find their own paths. She took enormous pride in her children and grandchildren and believed deeply in each of them. Her marriage to Leif was a remarkable partnership, built on love, mutual respect, shared adventure, and a commitment to making the world a little better. They were devoted to one another throughout nearly 60 years of marriage.

Perhaps nowhere was Chris's extraordinary strength more evident than in the final two decades of her life. Serious neurological and mobility challenges changed what she could do physically, but they never changed who she was. She faced those challenges with remarkable courage and positivity, rarely complaining and refusing to let her limitations define her. She continued to find ways to contribute, to connect with others, and to enjoy life. Even as life became more difficult, her determination and optimism never wavered.

Chris was preceded in death by her husband, Leif Christian Beck, in 2024. She is survived by her three sons, Lars (Kathryn), Eric (Kelly), and Anders, and her grandsons, Colin, Bjorn, and Christian.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Chris's life at a memorial service on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Chris's memory may be made to Gesu School or Chester Children's Chorus (CCC).

Chris will be remembered for her strength, her optimism, her adventurous spirit, and the love and belief she had in her family. She lived life with determination and purpose, and she will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.