Cecilia Magdalene Vergught

Our beloved Cecilia Magdalene Vergught passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026, in St. George, Utah at the age of 96. She was born in Cape Town, South Africa on January 14, 1930, to Ernest Edwin and Cecilia Johanna Beecroft. She was the elder of two children and was preceded in death by her younger brother, John.

Celia hailed from a very prominent South African family of politicians and businessmen. Her father Ernest Beecroft was a mineralogist and successful mine owner while her mother, Cecilia Wessels, was a world-renowned opera singer, whose talent took her to perform in distinguished settings throughout the European continent and in England. Celia often accompanied her on these trips and on one such occasion had the rare and memorable honor of being at her mother’s side when she was presented before the Queen of England.

She spent part of her youth attending boarding school in England, where she developed a lifelong love of learning. Celia embraced new experiences and had a particular appreciation for technology, which allowed her to remain closely connected to friends and family around the world throughout the latter years of her life.

As a young adult and until the early sixties, Celia lived in Cape Town. On September 29, 1962, Celia married her Belgian sweetheart, René Vergught. A few years later, as newlyweds, they emigrated from South Africa and with just $65 to their name, they traveled by cargo ship to the United States, in search of new and exciting opportunities. They landed in Florida, where they lived for 4 years and then moved to Texas for the next 24 years, after which they settled permanently in Santa Clara, Utah.

While living in Texas, Celia worked for Tenneco Inc. in Houston as a keypunch operator and later as a joint interest specialist, eventually transferring to Tenneco Oil, where she remained until her retirement in the early 1990’s. Before moving to Utah, Celia and René built a vibrant social life, hosting and entertaining many dear friends over the years. She often reminisced about her early work, recalling how she memorized numbers and details - perhaps the foundation of her remarkably sharp memory, which remained strong throughout her life.

Although Celia had no children of her own, she had a natural gift for nurturing and caring for others. She treated friends as her own family, always remembering birthdays, milestones, and special occasions with thoughtful messages and gestures. She was deeply loved by all in return.

Celia was known for her elegance and grace. She took great pride in her appearance, always impeccably dressed and current in fashion. Even in her final days, she maintained this standard of having every hair in place, freshly painted nails and wearing makeup; an enduring reflection of her spirit.

She possessed an extraordinary memory, recalling names, dates, and life events with exactness and clarity. When sharing stories, she would often reference specific dates, a testament to her keen mind that never diminished.

A woman of many talents, Celia was an exceptional seamstress, often designing and sewing her own clothing. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, lovingly making blankets and baby items for those around her. She had a passion for gardening, painting, swimming, tennis, and playing bridge with friends. She also enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine, which she liked to say "kept her feeling young".

Celia had an enduring zest for life. Even at the age of 96, she remained eager to go places, experience new things, and fully engage with the world around her. She had hopes and dreams of living to be 100.

Her greatest gift was her boundless love and compassion for everyone she encountered. She was nonjudgmental and kind and found her greatest joy in the company of others. Her warmth and generosity left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Celia will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her cheerful spirit, positive outlook, and unwavering love for others.

Celia is survived by her sister-in-law, Cecile Beecroft (John), and their two children, Charmaine Louw (Johannes) and Jeremy Beecroft, of South Africa; her stepson, Phillippe Vergught (Viviane), of Belgium; and her step nephew, Gordon Royle (Sarah), of New Zealand.

A memorial service will be held from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Riesling Chapel, located at 630 Riesling Avenue, Santa Clara, Utah.

In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Donate Here