Elizabeth Veronica Becker

Christopher Becker, a grandchild, read this at the Funeral Mass: We are gathered here today to mourn a death, but more importantly, we are here to celebrate a long, active, and love-filled life. We are here to honor and remember one of the kindest, sweetest, and most gentle little old ladies you could ever meet. Her name was Elizabeth Wingart Becker. To some she was known as Betty, to others she was known as Gladys. To 7 people she was known as Mom, to 12 people as Grandma, and to 6 as Great Grandma. She was known to one person as Happy Bottom, so I'm told. This was a creative woman who gave us hand-knit mittens and her famous peanut butter cookies for Christmas. She even decided to become an artist as a senior citizen. She turned out to be an amazing painter and quilter. In fact, I have an entire living room wall dedicated to her art! This was a woman who was not without her struggles and sufferings. This poor woman experienced a mother's worst nightmares twice, burying two of her beloved children, Jimmy and Jill. She also spent the last 21 years of her life without her beloved partner and husband. Despite these painful losses, she remained strong and continued to live an active and fulfilling life. This was a woman who lived to the ripe old age of 90. She remained a selfless and caring nurturer up until her very last days. Even though she could hardly walk or even stomach food and knew she was dying, she was more concerned about her son, my father, who had just had surgery than she was for her own well-being. While her life was an inspiration and blessing to all who had the privilege of knowing her, her death was an absolute embodiment of grace and faith. Her fearlessness and repose facing the looming specter of death should be a model to us all of how to meet life's inevitable uncertainties with dignity and integrity. May she continue to live on in each of us as the resolve to remain strong, kind, and loving despite the challenges and losses we are faced with. May she rest in peace, reunited at last with two children and a husband. And may the peace and serenity she experienced in her last days be with you always. Thank you and God bless. ----------------------------------------------------- Jillian Marsh, 3rd great grandchild, read this at the Funeral Mass: "Mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend. Heaven has gained an angel. Throughout the good times and the bad times, great grandma always turned to her faith. Through the death of her husband, daughters, son, sister, and parents; great grandma has always remained the happy, faithful women she always has been. The love she had for her family was unmatchable. Love curtest her soul and rubbed off onto others by just simply her presence. Her spunky attitude and adorable smile could light up even the darkest room. Today we say goodbye to the strongest women I have ever known. We will see you in heaven. I love you." ------------------------------------------------------ Elizabeth Veronica Becker of Clifton Ave., Kingston died Friday, July 20, 2012 at her home. She was 90. She was born in Kingston, a daughter of the late Florian and Jennie Dohnken Wingert. On February 22, 1941 Betty married James E. Becker. During WW II, Betty worked in the Bayonne, NJ shipyards. When they returned to Kingston, they raised seven children. Betty then worked at Ferroxcube and Hercules. They retired in 1979 to Bradenton, Florida where Betty enjoyed many activities. Her husband, James, died June 9, 1991. She returned to Kingston in 2008 to live with her daughters. Betty was an avid crafter, enjoying quilting, China painting, water and oil painting. She looked forward to her "third Thursday of the month" pot luck luncheons and crafts with the Crafty Ladies! Beloved wife of the late James Edward Becker; loving mother of Patricia Beaver and her husband Joseph of Alplaus, Jack Becker and his wife Brenda, Sandy Becker, Robert "Fred" Becker and his wife Kathy, and Kathy Becker, all of Kingston, the late James Edward Becker Jr. who died in 2002 and Jill Becker who died in 1980; sister of the late Dolores McCabe; grandmother of Michael, Steven, and Joseph Beaver, Michelle (Beaver)Marsh, Zachary Becker, Christopher, Robert, Kevin and Nicholas Becker, Laurie (Becker)Williams, James and Joseph Becker. Six loving great grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive. Reposing at the Simpson - Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave. on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. The funeral procession will form on Wednesday at 9:00 am from the funeral home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Immaculate Conception Church at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "American Cancer Society" (Kingston Relay for Life), c/o Tina Eckert, Director Special Events, Hudson Valley Region, 121 Executive Dr., New Windsor, NY 12553 or Hospice of Ulster County, 34 Broadway, Kingston NY, 12401.