Beth Shocket Placek, age 78 of Austin, TX passed away on July 26, 2021. Beth more than anything else, considered herself a dancer. The first part of her email address was "bethdances". She is now dancing in the stars. She was born in Buffalo, NY to Louis and Reva Patton Shocket. Her father was director of the Jewish Welfare Board, an organization dedicated to community building. Her family moved to San Antonio when she was four. She attended Thomas A. Edison High School where she was an honor student, graduating in 1959. She remained in San Antonio, until she came to Austin to attend the University of Texas to study pharmacy. She graduated with honors in 1964. That same year she married Jack Mitchell who worked in the Comptroller's office of the State of Texas. She and Jack later divorced in 1972. She worked as a pharmacist until she was 74 when she quit because of health problems.

Beth was very proud of her work as a pharmacist and the number of times she caught doctor errors and called and asked: "Are you sure about this prescription?" But more than anything else she was a dancer. She was working on her masters' degree but stopped when she got a dancing part in a Zach Scott musical. After years of working full time, she took a job at HEB as a fill-in pharmacist so she would be free to travel all over the country going to folk dance festivals.

The pandemic was very hard on her because she was cut off from friends and family and couldn't travel to dance festivals.

She was active in West Austin Democrats and always knew who was running in every race and had opinions about them. She was a long time and dedicated member of the United Church of Christ (Congregational Church of Austin) near the UT campus.

Beth was previously married to John D. Placek and Glenn H. Williams.

She was preceded in death by her husband Chencho Flores, a noted Austin Conjunto accordion player. She is survived by her brother Richard (Dick) Shocket, his wife Barbara (Prema) Strecker of Austin and their children Louis Shocket of Houston and Marta Shocket of Redwood City, CA.

Special appreciations go out to her Tarrytown neighbors and Jim and Kathy Gaudin who helped her so much in the last few years, to HEB pharmacists Frank von Sehrwald and Kathleen Tankersley who were great friends to her, and to the heroic doctors and nurses at Seton Hospital.

A virtual memorial service will be held on August 21, 2021 at 2 pm.,CDT. The Zoom link can be found at: caringbridge.org/visit/bethdances/journal.

Beth's service was attended by over 70 people. It was conducted by Rev. Amelia Fulbright, Pastor of Congregational Church of Austin. The Rev. Dr. C. J. Wood gave a brief homily. Music was provided by Dr. Amy Harris and pianist Amy Wong.

Stories and Remembrances were shared by participants. We include some here and would be happy to add others:

Dennis Murphy commented on Beth's compassion. He noted that, during the Joys and Concerns portion of the church service each Sunday, Beth would ask for prayers and help for people she had met who were in need: her customers, fellow shoppers at the 7-11, neighbors, etc. She felt their pain and wished to provide relief.

Niece Marta Shocket and Nephew Louis Shocket told of their love for their aunt, and their deep appreciation for her always treating them with respect and for her genuine concern for their well-being. They especially enjoyed holidays with her.

Nodie Murphy shared her connection with Beth as a dancer. She understood Beth's love of dancing and her desire to dance at every opportunity.

Pat Oakes commented on Beth's long friendship with John and Eleanor Towery. John was minister of CCoA form 1958 to 1989. She described Beth as a free spirit, "She never met a stranger. She was committed to the West Austin Democrats and made friends with many candidates and worked tirelessly in their campaigns. We almost lost her four years ago due to an infection—she came back to dance."

Elliott Naishtat, former member of the Texas House of Representatives, spoke of her support over the years.

Mel Oakes commented: "Beth loved England. She often spent her summer holidays in Bakewell in Derbyshire. From there, she could visit the scene of her favorite mystery character, Cadfael. How could she not like a 12th Century monk who was also a "pharmacist." She loved her walks in England making friends along the way."

"Beth would frequent used book venues, always looking for interesting history and popular science. She particularly searched for books on quantum physics, the second law of thermodynamics and cosmology, hoping these would shore up her magical view of the physical world. My suggestion that her interpretation might not be consistent with the physics did not discourage her. I could count on her to be at church with a new idea the next Sunday."

Representative from Texas Early Music Project spoke of her dedication to the project and her support over many years.

Mark and Amy Banner Updegrove, neighbors of Beth's, talked about her kindness to neighbors and pets in the neighborhood.

Jen Howicz spoke of Beth's contributions to the church.