News

By Steven J. Smith

    BOCA RATON — Jacqueline Becker led a remarkably active life, marked by a spirited determination to make a difference in the world, according to her grandson, Jon Becker.
    “She was a very driven person, independent and quite headstrong,” Becker said. “She was always in charge, trying to do the right thing and was very focused.”
    Mrs. Becker died on June 12 in hospice at the age of 90, but lived a life rich in accomplishments, he added.
    “Even in her later years in Boca, she sold real estate — but only the best properties between the ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway,” Becker said. “Work was her pastime and she was a very successful Realtor.”
    Born in New York City in 1926, Mrs. Becker attended prestigious Vassar College, where she majored in music and dramatic production. After graduation, she worked for Decca Records’ artist relations department, accompanying performers Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Ella Fitzgerald and Al Jolson on personal appearances around the U.S.
    “She acted as their liaison,” Becker said. “And during one of those trips, she met my grandfather, Herman, and married him in 1950.”
    The Beckers moved to her husband’s hometown of Terre Haute, Ind., where they raised their two children. It was there she developed a keen interest in community affairs.
    In 1960, however, her life changed at the behest of fellow Vassar alumna Jacqueline Kennedy, who solicited her aid for John F. Kennedy’s successful presidential bid.
    “That served as a springboard for her to found Housewives Effort for Local Progress,” Becker said. “That organization was formed in conjunction with the school system of Terre Haute and served as a predecessor of the PTA, raising money for important educational programs.”
    In 1972, the Beckers moved to Highland Beach and she got active in local government, serving as a member of the Community Appearance Board until they moved again in 1982, to Boca Raton.
    Tragedy struck in 1997, when Mrs. Becker’s son, Rick, died of a sudden heart attack at 44. That spurred the creation and funding of the Rick Becker Memorial CPR Award, which provides annual recognition to a local individual who promotes, saves a life with CPR or provides CPR education to the community.
    “Unfortunately, CPR would not have helped in Rick’s case, but they felt this was something they wanted to do in his memory,” Becker said. “She also funded the Jacqueline L. Becker Award in Political Science at FAU, which is given yearly to a deserving student there. She loved following politics and in her 80s she even helped President Obama’s campaigns, making cold calls to get the vote out for him.”
    In addition to her grandson, Jon Becker, Mrs. Becker is survived by her daughter, Susan M. Becker; a granddaughter, Traci Bartow; and a great-grandson, Max Becker.
    Instead of flowers, please send donations to the Rick Becker Memorial CPR Fund, c/o Boca Raton Firefighter and Paramedic Benevolent Fund, P.O. Box 565, Boca Raton, FL 33429 or the Jacqueline L. Becker Award in Political Science, FAU Foundation Inc., 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431.