Elizabeth Larson Becker

Elizabeth Larson Becker In the company of her family, Elizabeth Larson Becker passed away peacefully on Friday September 7 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Despite her illness she never lost her engaging spirit and wit. Elizabeth was born in 1924 in Washington D.C. and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware where she attended Quaker schools. She graduated from the George School in Bucks County Pennsylvania in 1942 and attended Wellesley College from which she graduated in 1946 with a degree in mathematics. She taught mathematics at the George School for two years and then pursued graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University where she received an MA in English. Elizabeth married Allen Becker in 1954 and moved to Austin, Texas where Allen became an instructor of English at the University of Texas. They moved to the campus of St. Stephen’s Episcopal School in 1957 where Allen was the headmaster until 1973. Elizabeth taught and tutored mathematics and wrote book reviews for various newspapers. In 1973, the Beckers moved to Jackson, Mississippi where Allen became the headmaster of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School. Elizabeth taught mathematics from time to time, tutored individual math students and was a freelance book editor. In 1979, Allen accepted the headmastership at St. Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia where Elizabeth again taught various mathematics classes, tutored and continued to edit books. During that time, she helped edit The Episcopal Church in Mississippi. In addition, Elizabeth was involved in the publication of the literary magazine, “The Virginia Review,” and was an active member of the Richmond Friends of the Library. After Allen’s retirement, the Beckers traveled widely visiting such places as China, east Africa, Egypt and Central America. Elizabeth continued to tutor and edit and remained an active volunteer. In 1995, the Beckers returned to Austin, Texas where Elizabeth became an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church. She continued to travel with her husband and enjoyed a close circle of friends both old and new. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Martha Larson. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Allen Becker of Austin, Texas; her sister, Joan Elliott of Front Royal, Virginia; her children, Mary Mullins and husband, Tom, of Richmond, Virginia; Joan Becker of Boston, Massachusetts, and Stephen Becker and wife, Emilie, of Austin, Texas; and four grandchildren, Rachel and Madeleine Mullins and Isaac and Antonia Becker. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Janet Flaherty, Bonnie Gomez, Lauren Barrett and Shai Starnes and to the staff of Grace House at Lake Travis for their devotion and care for Elizabeth. Funeral services will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church on Monday September 17 at 3:30 followed by a reception and remembrance in the parish hall. A private interment will be held on Tuesday September 18 at the Memorial Garden at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elizabeth Becker Memorial Scholarship Fund at St. James’ Episcopal School, 1941 Webberville Road, Austin, TX 78721 or to a favorite charity. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com