Gretchen (Austad) Becker
Underhill
Gretchen (Austad) Becker, 75, passed away on August 4, 2014 peacefully at home with her loving husband by her side after a long illness.
Gretchen was born on September 30, 1938, daughter of the late Arthur and Hilda (Richardson) Austad, and spent her youth in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. She moved to Boston after high school, where she later met and married a wild, motorcycle racing serviceman, Richard Becker. After they were married, Richard and Gretchen moved to New Jersey, but relocated to Vermont after their three children were born. Richard and Gretchen raised two daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, and one son, Joseph in Underhill, VT. They were married for 49 years.
Gretchen was a very independent woman and stayed at home to raise her children. She liked to garden and was an avid volunteer for her children’s many extracurricular activities. Gretchen spent many years volunteering at the United Church of Underhill’s Clutter Barn and enjoyed making sure everything was organized, all of the donated electrical items worked and no pieces were missing from puzzles and games. She was proud of all of her children, but took great pride in her son’s racing career and never missed listening to a Thunder Road race on the radio.
Later in life, when her health began to fail, Gretchen spent her time enjoying the company of her friends and family and watching Jeopardy on TV. She loved taking care of the household affairs, and happily did the taxes and banking herself until the end.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Becker; children, Rachel Becker, Rebecca Lemire and Joseph Becker; grandson, Zachary Lemire; brother-in-law, Barry Becker and his wife, Lillian; sister-in-law, Jo Anne Austad; dear friends, Rhonda Blodgett and Nancy Cardinal; and granddog, Gilligan. She was also predeceased by her brother, Jon Austad; and her great aunt, Reitha McGaughan.
Visiting hours will be held Sunday, August 10th, 5 – 8 PM at A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Essex Chapel, 57 Main St. Essex Jct., VT 05452. A funeral service will be held Monday, August 11th at 11 AM at the United Church of Underhill in Underhill, VT. Interment will follow at the Underhill Cemetery on Park Street. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Essex Rescue, 1 Educational Drive, Essex Jct., VT 05452. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com.