Brenda Gerstl Becker

Brenda was born on April 7, 1961 in Charlottesville, VA, the daughter of the late Hans and Maria Gerstl.

She was well-respected in the Baltimore region as a leader in the Continue Care Retirement Community area, with specific expertise and achievements in Marketing. Her most recent work was completed as Vice President of Marketing for Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster, MD, where she had an instrumental role in the start-up of a new community, the Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant, in Ellicott City, MD. Brenda received her Bachelor of Business Administration from The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, a Master of Business Administration from Loyola University and a Master’s in the Management of Aging Services at the Erickson School at UMBC. During her career, she has held key Marketing positions at Loyola University and at the Broadmead Retirement Community.

In addition to her husband of 32 years, David Carl Becker, she is survived by two daughters, Lauren Nicole Becker and Kelly Maria Becker; and a brother, Hans Gerstl of Culpeper, VA. Brenda has many uncles, aunts and cousins that reside in Germany and New Mexico.

Brenda was a devoted mother to her children and it is this role that was her most cherished; all other things were subjugated to the support and love she provided to her family.

Brenda enjoyed photography, cooking, and travel and the photo albums of her travels to Europe were enjoyed by many; one of the most recent a 30th wedding anniversary trip to a cooking school in Tuscany, Italy. She had a profound love of nature and spent many a weekend at the Gerstl farm in Virginia absorbing the calming peace of the country air.

Family and close friends will treasure the memory of her smile, her spirit, her appreciation for others, and her ability to listen and provide advice to those in need.

Family will receive friends at Lemmon Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9PM. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, July 16, 2015 at Grace Lutheran Church, 8701 Valleyfield Road in Lutherville, MD, followed by a celebration of Brenda’s life in the church hall. A brief graveside service for family and friends will be held on Friday, July 17, 2015 at Monticello Memorial Gardens in Charlottesville, VA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hopewell Cancer Support (http://www.hopewellcancersupport.org/) and the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (http://www.ocrf.org/).