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Becky J. Wacek, 61, of Dunder Road in Burlington, Vermont died on January 19, 2013 at her home, surrounded by her family following her courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). Becky was born on June 2, 1951 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, the daughter of William and Arlene (Wagner) Rebstock. Upon graduating high school, she attended St. Cloud State University and received her Elementary Education degree in 1973. She met her husband during her junior year in high school and they were married in Redwood Falls on September 2, 1972, upon his return from military service. She taught elementary school for several years in Minnesota before the family moved to Connecticut in 1983, and then Vermont in 1986, where she taught at Champlain Elementary School for many years. Becky was devoted to her family and cherished her new granddaughter. She loved to cook and bake for her family, and enjoyed planting flowers and watching them grow. She was proud to be a teacher and her role in making a difference in children's lives. She was always appreciative of her many friends and her interests revolved around people. She enjoyed golf for the personal challenge, but mostly for the many friends she made in the process. She even enjoyed her husband's passion for classic cars, attending many car shows, and winning several trophies in the process. Diagnosed with ALS in 2009, she was determined to live life on her terms, as she maintained her friendly, positive attitude by finding comfort in her family, friends and faith. With her beaming smile and pleasant personality, she strived to live her motto: "It's not how high you jump or how fast you run -- rather it's how well you bounce." To her many friends and family, she became known as "Bouncing Becky." Becky is survived by her devoted husband of 40 years, Douglas J. Wacek and her two sons, Neil Wacek (and his wife Vickie) of Shelburne, Vermont, and Joel Wacek (and his wife Karen and their daughter, Amelia) of Medfield, Massachusetts. She is also survived by her brother Lee Rebstock (and his wife Mary) of Jordan Minnesota and her sister Janet Gontarek (and her husband Mark) of Breezy Point, Minnesota, along with numerous brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, and nephews. The family would like to recognize and thank the staff at the ALS Center at Fletcher Allen and the Visiting Nurses Association for their caring manner and help. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association of Northern New England Chapter, 10 Ferry St. Suite 309, Concord, NH 03301. Calling hours will be at the Ready Funeral Home, 261 Shelburne Rd in Burlington from 4 pm to 7 pm on Friday, January 25th. A Mass celebrating Becky's life will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 305 Flynn Avenue in Burlington at 11 am on Saturday, January 26th. Memories and condolences may also be shared on-line at www.readyfuneral.com. |
