Rebecca O'Neill

Becky was born on April 6, 1950 to Jim and Chickie Bowden in El Paso, Texas. She passed away at the age of 72 on November 24, 2022 in El Paso. She attended Eastwood High School and then graduated from UTEP in 1972 with a degree in Education and in 1974 with a Masters Degree in Education Administration. She received her Superintendent Certification in 2009. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and served as chapter president while at UTEP. She was the Southwestern Cotton Association Maid of Cotton Queen in 1970 and a Sun Carnival Princess in 1971. Becky married Pat O’Neill on March 18, 1972, and in March of 2022, they celebrated their 50th anniversary. She began her career as a teacher in 1972 at El Paso ISD, then moved to YISD in 1977, where she taught at several elementary schools. In 1981, she was promoted to assistant principal at Glen Cove Elementary School, then served as principal at East Point, Vista Hills, Pasodale, Tierra Del Sol, and Mission Valley elementary schools through 2007 before leaving for a position at Socorro ISD. She returned to YISD in 2014 as Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools until her retirement in 2019. As an educator, Becky brought passion, enthusiasm and innovation everyday throughout her career which would be reflected in the lives of countless students, teachers and colleagues she so positively impacted. Many of the programs she was instrumental in developing and implementing are still having an extremely effective impact on the children in our education system. Anyone who ever spent time with Becky was certainly blessed by her always positive attitude and very supportive nature. A wonderful daughter, sister, mother and aunt, Becky’s beautiful heart shined a light so bright that she touched every family member. Her caring and nurturing nature was such a blessing to all of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents Jimmy Orville Bowden and Betty Ruth (Chickie) Bowden. She is survived by her husband Pat, daughter Lauren and son Bradley. She is also survived by her sister Cindy Smith, brother-in-law Kim Smith, sister Debbie Bowden, brother-in-law Wayne Pritchard, brother Jim Bowden, sister-in-law Karen Bowden as well as one niece (Campbell Bowden) and three nephews Tirey Smith (Calleen), Christopher Smith (Michelle) and Jackson Pritchard), and two grand-nephews, River and Colt Smith. A visitation will be held at 5:00 PM on Friday December 2, 2022 followed by a Celebration of Life at 6:00 PM at Martin Funeral Home East -1460 George Dieter Dr. El Paso, Tx 79936. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting a donation to the El

Paso Animal Rescue League.