Beth Vacanti

Beth Vacanti, age 92 years, of Fayetteville, Ark., passed away Wednesday, March 5, 2014, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home in Fayetteville. She was born Jan. 8, 1922, in San Jose, Calif., 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 N.W. 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 strangers, 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, Neb., Douglas Dushan and wife, Stephanie, of Omaha, Neb., and Lindsay Schnarr and husband, Nate, of Amherst, Mass.; nine great-grandchildren, Parker and Maddie Dushan of Omaha, Neb., William and Tobias Rischling of Omaha, Neb., Quinton, Elliana and Trace Randall, all of Omaha, Neb., and Lily Meisinger and Sophia Wray, also of Omaha, Neb. A memorial will be held Saturday, March 8, 2014, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Willard Walker Hospice Home, 325 E. Longview, Fayetteville, Ark. 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, AR 72702. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.nelsonberna.com.