Celia Becker

Becker, Celia SLINGERLANDS Celia Becker of the Atria Guilderland, Slingerlands, N.Y., passed away peacefully at her daughter's home on Saturday, June 14, 2008, after an illness,she was almost 95 years old. Celia was born in Jaworow, Poland/ Austria on July 18, 1913 to Leiser and Keila Mond-schein, the youngest of her four sisters and five brothers, Nathan, Harry, Eta, Fanny, Esther, Menasha, Ann, Sol and Irving, all of whom predeceased her. Having experienced progroms and attempted forced conscription of her brothers and others, and having an opportunity created by her oldest brother Nathan, she and her family came to America through Ellis Island in 1923 and moved to the Bronx. It was there, while Celia was in high school, she met her loving and devoted husband-to-be, Theodore "Ted" Becker, whom she married in May 1937. Ted and Celia moved from NYC to Albany, N.Y. and had two children, Kyla and Larry. Ted and Celia lived together until Ted's untimely death in 1971. During her years, Celia worked as a homemaker, nurse and then as a clerk for the New York State Thruway Authority until 1972, when she retired. Celia always availed herself to others, and gave of herself to family and friends and those in need. She was a life long member of Hadassah, and kept a keen interest in Jewish affairs. After retirement she traveled to Israel with her sister Esther, with whom she shared a Florida winter-time home. She particularly loved visiting and being with her brothers and sister, nieces and nephews, her children and their partners, her close friends including Jean Fisher, Roz Ettinger, Pearl Toppall, Chickie Silverman, Frieda Kruck (deceased), and Emma Sontz (deceased), and especially her grandchildren, Gabrielle and Theodore Becker. She had a sharp wit, an amazing sense of humor and a gentle touch. She was a loving and faithful wife to her husband Ted, and a caring and concerned mother and grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Kyla Marion and her companion, Denis Slattery; son Lawrence Becker; her daughter-in-law, Ellen Bennett Becker; her grandchildren, Gabrielle and Theodore Becker; and many nieces and nephews. She will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren, and by her many nieces and nephews and friends. Her family wishes to particularly thank Dr. Elizabeth Gath, her physician, for her care and kind considerations and to her special caregivers Tara Eley and Jackie Sullivan, and her long-time friend Emma Carr. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Remembrance Service to be held on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 42 Brookline Avenue, Albany, NY 12203, commencing at 1:00 p.m.