Chini Lee Beckwith

CHINI LEE BECKWITH 1977-2005 PITTSBURGH, PA - Chini Lee Beckwith, 27, passed away unexpectedly on August 23, 2005. She was born on August 29, 1977, in Waterville, Maine, the daughter of Debby and Danny Beckwith. She is pre-deceased by her father Danny. Chini was an unusually beautiful soul, one of those rare totally alive people who are truly themselves. She was cheerful, energetic, and enthusiastic, and had a wonderful laugh. She was compassionate and generous. Countless people considered her a friend. She was sensitive, aware, and creative, a true artist who saw beauty everywhere, in nature, in the city, and in people, and captured it in several different mediums, from paint to sculpture and tile. Chini was an outspoken champion of the ''invisible people,'' the poor, homeless, and outcast of society, and was an activist for HIV sufferers and the environment. Chini is survived by her mother Debby Beckwith-Noonan and stepfather Bob Noonan; her sister Megan and brother Vaughn; her stepbrothers Robert and Paul Noonan; her grandfather Delbert Beckwith and grandmothers Camilla Charrier and M. Doris Charrier; and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. She is also survived by her large family of friends in Pittsburgh. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street, Waterville. Services will be on Sunday August 28 at 1:30 p.m., at the same location. Donations in Chini's memory may be made to HIV and epilepsy charities Epilepsy Foundation of America, 4351 Garden City Dr., Landover, MD 20785, Donations may also be made at the funeral home. Condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com