Carole Becker

Carole Becker, 71, of Manchester, CT has a new audience amongst the angels to listen to her jokes and humorous stories. Carole passed away peacefully on June 2nd from complications related to bile duct cancer.

Carole was born in Willimantic, CT near her Grandmother's farm and later moved to Hartford. She quit high school at age 15 to help her family and took a job as a short order cook at J.J. Newberry in Downtown Hartford. A few years later Carole got a position working in accounting for Roytype. Management recognized her amazing work ethic and awarded her a scholarship to business school along with her best friend Carol Lepage, where she learned shorthand and to type 50 words per minute on an IBM electric typewriter.

Carole's skills as secretary earned her a new position as executive secretary to the President of Joseph Merritt Company in Hartford, where she met her future husband Tim. Her next position as a receptionist for Ace Printery in Hartford is where Carole eventually found her true calling as an outside commercial printing sales representative; a field that had been dominated by men.

Once freed from the confinements of an office, Carole built up a large following of customers including politicians, business executives and union officials. When Carole moved to her current employer: Budget Printing and Embroidery in Hartford, she insisted that the company become unionized so that she could continue to offer printing with a union label. Carole's customers became her friends, and they looked forward to her visits. Carole also has a close group of dear friends in her BNI group and Greater Manchester Chamber Business Referral Group.

In addition to her career, Carole loved traveling with Tim and her children, Maureen and Stephen, to Vermont every summer, Disney World, and numerous cruises to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, and a special trip to visit Maureen in Europe.

Carole also enjoyed any type of gambling including horse racing, lottery tickets, and slot machines. Her high roller status allowed her to enjoy many "free" cruises, shows, concerts and dinners at Mohegan Sun Casino which she generously shared with her friends and family. Carole also adored her cats and dogs and always made sure that numerous treats were awarded each day and that an adequate supply of treats were always on hand.

Carole is survived by Tim Becker, her husband of 42 years, son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Laura Becker and grandson Liam of Manchester, daughters Maureen Becker of San Diego and Tracy Sullivan Leonard of Coventry, as well as her sister Nancy and brother-in-law Hap of Granby, brother Edward Kogut of Wethersfield, uncle Jimmy Cardile of Windham, and cousin Bill and Rose Milette of Hanover, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Carole loved to spread joy. Instead of a wake and funeral, Carole is having "Carole's Farewell Cruise" party on Tuesday, June 13th from 5-8PM at A Villa Louisa in Bolton, where we will celebrate her life. Please wear bright colors, have dinner, and share your memories of Carole. Anyone wishing to help Carole's favorite charity can send a donation to MACC Charities at 466 Main St., Manchester, CT 06040. For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.