Janet Beth Wescott

Beth M. Wescott (nee: Janet Beth Millward) 79 ½ years young Born February 1, 1944 Passed August 13, 2023 On the night of August 13, 2023 Beth passed away after a short hospital stay, though she had defied the odds several times prior and fought valiantly to recover each time. Work: Beth graduated from the University of Maryland where she lettered in Field Hockey and earned a degree in History. She then went back to her Alma Mater, Samuel Ready, to teach History. While there she discovered her lifelong passion for the library sciences and becoming the original Googler-connecting people with information. She then worked to earn a Masters degree in Library Science, earning a 4.0 while working full time. She continued her pursuits, working at the Catonsville, Eldersburg and later on at the Woodlawn Public Libraries. Between these stints she also worked as the U of Md. Medical School as the Academic Coordinator for the Dept of Epidemiology and later as the Librarian for the National AIDS Clearing House. She spent the end of her career as a Nationally Award-winning Librarian at the University of Maryland Medical School. She retired on the week of her birthday in 2010 at the age of 66. Precocious and curious early in life, she found herself riding her tricycle right into the shin of Douglas MacArthur while her father was stationed in Tokyo between the 2nd World War and the start of the Korean War. As much as her mother was surprised and worried, Mac laughed, patted her on the head, and continued on his way. When she turned 10 she had a life altering jolt, losing both her father and grandfather within a week of her birthday. Losing two stalwart pieces of her family led her to turn her full attention towards books and learning. Being a part of an Army family, she attended over 20 schools through her senior year. She developed a love of history and reading throughout her travels, living on US bases around the world: Seattle, Georgia, Puerto Rico, Staten Island, and Tokyo, Japan to name a few. As she noted in Samuel Ready Senior year high school yearbook, she disliked goalies who scored goals and people with poor manners. She particularly was one for proper grammar, something she drilled and instilled. In 1966 she settled in Academy Heights, Catonsville after college and marriage in 1964. She remained living in the 21228 for the rest of her life with the last 3 years staying in Bright View Rolling Hills, a place she very much enjoyed with the many chances to socialize with new friends. She particularly enjoyed the Book Club and was able to get the BCPL to bring the Book Mobile to Bright. While at University of Maryland she captained the Field Hockey team and earned a degree in History with a minor in Mathematics. Her love of education was THE hallmark of her entire life, reaching beyond her career to include many years of coordinating and teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at two churches. She liked music and played piano often in her adult life, and even tolerated many loud band practices in her basement. Beth Wescott is survived by her sister, Joanne Millward Smith and brothers William and Thomas Millward. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Allan Wescott on February 4, 1975. She is also survived by her two sons, Erik Daniel and Breton Christopher, daughter-in-law Tracy G. Wescott, as well as three grandchildren with Alec, an Alumni Law school student, Lauren, a Junior @ the University of Md and Chase Wescott, a Junior @ Crofton HS. Please join us for a celebration of her life on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm at Christian Temple Church, 5820 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228

Janet Beth Wescott

February 1, 1944 - August 13, 2023