Maria Theresa Fowler

Maria Theresa Becker Fowler, 51, died Friday, November 27, 2015, after a three year battle with cancer. Born September 24, 1964, in Kansas City, MO, she was the third child of Thomas and Theresa Becker. Maria graduated from Bishop Kelley High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1982 and East Texas State University in 1986. With her Journalism degree in photography, she joined the Army serving in Giessen Germany where she met her husband, Christopher Fowler. Married in 1988, she later worked with the Kansas City Kansan before moving to Phoenix to work for the Arizona Republic. Transferring to McLean Virginia to work with USA TODAY, she photographed and covered many events of national interest. Diagnosed with Metaplastic Breast Cancer in 2012, she continued her work and, at the same time, formed service organizations dedicated to helping others with similar diseases.

Maria is survived by her loving husband Christopher and her stepson, Tyler and his wife Emily. She also leaves her parents and her brother Bryan, her sisters Judy Gaito, Michelle Johanning, and Victoria Becker.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 5th, at 1:00 p.m., at Church of the Nativity, 3800 West 119th, Leawood, KS, with the Mass at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow for her immediate family only. Condolences may be left online at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com. Arrangements, McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145, (816) 942-6180.