Rebecca H. "Becky" Rutkowski

Rebecca H. "Becky" Rutkowski, of Sugarloaf Twp., passed away late Sunday evening surrounded by her loving family.

She fought courageously through a nine year battle with cancer.

Born and raised in Trenton, N.J., she was the daughter of the late William and Marion (Parker) Stec.

Becky was a 1975 graduate of Notre Dame High School, Lawrenceville, N.J. She received a B.A. degree from Trenton State College in 1979 and received a master's degree in education from Bloomsburg University in 2006.

After a courtship of eight years, she married her high school sweetheart, Mark Rutkowski. They lived in Philadelphia, where Becky raised her children and worked, while Mark pursued his medical degree.

Following his graduation from Thomas Jefferson Medical School, the family moved to Charlestown, N.H. Mark practiced medicine and Becky began her teaching career at St. Mary's Elementary School. In 1996, the family relocated to Sugarloaf Twp. She then joined the Bishop Hafey High School community and taught science to the junior high students. Following the closure Bishop Hafey, she continued teaching at Holy Redeemer High School in the junior high. Currently, she was employed by the Hazleton Area School District, teaching at West Hazleton Middle School.

Becky's teaching career spanned 30 years. Her passion and love of teaching was evident in the number of students she inspired, encouraged, challenged and influenced. She sparked in them a desire to learn. The true testimonial of her career was the outpouring of former students who reached out to share stories of how she touched their lives and ignited a flame for them to have a passion for science.

Most important to Becky was family. She shared 40 years of marriage with Mark and devoted her life to taking care of her family, which brought her the greatest sense of accomplishment and pride. She loved sharing stories of her daughter, Laura, always keeping her memory alive. Her sons, Jason and Will, were the source of her daily laughter and smiles. She loved family trips to Long Beach Island, ski trips, gardening, gourmet cooking, baking, holiday parties at her home and summer entertaining.

Her favorite all time sport was baseball and everyone knew Becky's favorite team was the Yankees. She was their greatest fan. She would travel the Tri-State area or further to cheer on her team, many times with her brother, Mike. Her fondest memories were the years they were World Series Champs.

A member of St. John Bosco Church, she lived her faith daily. She placed her life in God's hands and accepted the path He chose for her to live. Her faith never wavered. She knew she would spend eternity in God's Kingdom with everyone she loved.

Becky will be remembered as a loving and generous wife, mother and sister. She leaves behind a legacy of commitment to family and faith. Her laughter filled a room and her beautiful smile will live in our hearts forever.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her precious daughter, Laura E. Rutkowski, in 2003; and a brother, William Stec Jr., in 2003.

Becky is survived by her beloved husband, Dr. Mark G. Rutkowski; Jason M. Rutkowski and wife, Dolly, son and daughter-in-law; William E. Rutkowski, son and loving caregiver; special friend, Jazmine Colon; Cynthia Lee Stec, sister, who has always been there for Becky and her family, especially during the past three months; Michael P. Stec and Jackie Stec, brother and sister-in-law; Matthias Stec and Kathy Stec, brother and sister-in-law; Carol Stec and Daryl Champine, cousins; Cathy Eger and Bill Eger, cousins; Rory Stec and Angelia Cirillo, Laura Stec, Giuliana Cirillo, Kayley Cirillo, Gabriel Michael Stec, William Stec III, Mickey Stec, Matty Stec and Amanda Stec, all nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. at St. John Bosco Church, 573 Route 93, Sugarloaf Twp.

Burial will follow Friday at 2:30 p.m. at St. Hedwig Cemetery, 500 Eggert Crossing Road, Ewing, N.J., with a final blessing and prayers of committal. Becky will be buried next to her beloved daughter, Laura E., and near Mark's parents.

COVID-19 regulations and masks required at both services.

Donations in memory of Becky may be made to the Laura E. Rutkowski Memorial Scholarship fund at the Luzerne foundation, 34 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702.

Arrangements under the direction of Joseph B. Conahan Funeral Home Inc., 532 N. Vine St., Hazleton.

To leave a sympathy message or for more information, please visit our website at www.conahanfuneralhome.com.