Rebecca L. Roy Nelson passed away on June 8, 2016 in Hillsboro after 9 years of failing heath. Becky was born on February 4,1920 in San Bernardino, California to Ben and Lucille Swaim. She was preceded in death by her husbands Everett Roy in 1976 and William Nelson in 1984, her sister Ada and her brother Eugene. She is survived by her son Richard Roy, daughter Eilene (Randy) Wolven, both of Hillsboro, and a brother Ira Marvin Swaim of Decatur Texas. She is also survived by her grandson Kevin Poe and granddaughter Kristin Joplin as well as two great granddaughters, Karen Deering and Karly Poe. Becky worked as housekeeper and caretaker on a large farm in McMinnville when she met Everett Roy at the local meat market. They later married on Aug 24,1942 and then moved to Carlton after Everett returning from military service during World War II. They raised two children, Richard and Eilene, while Becky worked at the Carlton Elementary School as a cook. She later worked at a woolen mill in McMinnville before moving to Beaverton spending ten years working at Tektronix before back problems forced her to retire. Becky enjoyed gardening and grew amazing flowers, vegetables, and fruit, much of which she canned or froze. She enjoyed fishing, baking delicious desserts and candies, as well as sewing and needle crafts. She was a past president of the Carlton chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary. After she married Bill Nelson in 1980, they moved to Central Point, Oregon and remained there until Bill passed away in 1984. She then moved to Hillsboro and joined the New Life (Brookwood) Baptist Church and was very active in the church life, organizing and cooking Wednesday night family dinners, making flower arrangements, assisting with the church newsletter, and singing in the choir. Becky’s health took a turn for the worse in 2007, after several surgeries and an extended time in the hospital and a rehab center she started living in foster care. She still enjoyed attending church and going out to lunch with her son Richard. In early 2016, Becky was diagnosed with cancer and her health deteriorated. Becky was a strong and courageous woman but in the end cancer and dementia finally won the fight. Her family and friends will miss her and her warm loving smile. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, June 18th at the New Life (Brookwood) Baptist Church at 3440 E. Main Street in Hillsboro. Light refreshment and social time to follow.
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