Ellen Rebecca York

DEAR DAVID, I WANTED TO SAY HOW SORRY I WAS TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR WIFE. I JUST RECEIVED THE MAGAZINE FROM HOLLAND HALL. I NOW LIVE IN ST. LOUIS SO I DON'T HEAR ABOUT ANYTHING FROM TULSA. BECKY SOUNDED LIKE THE BEST PERSON IN THE WORLD. I'M SORRY I DIDN'T KNOW HER. MY BEST TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. PELTY DAY BENSON

My husband, Lance &I just learned of the passing of sweet Becky. We are so sad to hear the news. When Lance was a young dentist, he worked in Dr Hunter's office where we met Becky, who was a hygienist there. We hit it off with Becky right away. She was such a delightful and fun person. She always talked about her family. We always enjoyed being with Becky. We haven't seen her in many years but have a vivid memory of her that brings a smile to our faces. Our condolences to her family. RIP Becky!!!

It was, indeed, a special time when we had the Owen Reunion, in Canton. NC, a few years ago ....hosted by the Ford family ! Here is a picture of Aunt Nancy ( Nancy Owen Ford, ) with Becky and me.... and a photo of one Becky's NC cousins....we grew up together in western NC until our fathers' jobs took us elsewhere .... We had talent shows and picnics and so much fun in Haywood County during the 1950s....Becky was a dear cousin .....fun loving and beautiful insude and out....I think she always did a " fan dance" in our talent shows.... Becky will be missed by many......til we meet again, sweet cousin!!!

Here are two beautiful photos of Becky from around 2005. In the one with all the people, Becky and David are volunteering at Iron Gate, a nonprofit that feeds the hungry of Tulsa every day.

Becky York’s Wonderful Sense of Humor a remembrance by Barbara Woltz I loved Becky’s sense of humor, and this is one example. Becky was my dental hygienist for many years. My mother moved to Tulsa in 2005 when she needed to move to senior living and to be closer to me so I could help her. So, Becky became my mother’s dental hygienist, too. Becky would always ask me about my mother after that, which was so kind. So, once when I was seeing Becky for my dental cleaning, she asked about my Mom, and I think I shared some story about my mother’s progressive dementia, because I knew that Becky was a good listener who was always kind and compassionate. Becky then told me this story, which was about an older woman Becky knew who was in a facility specializing in dementia. I have no idea of what the relative’s name was, but I will call her “Mary.” Like all facilities with that specialty, the facility had measures to keep residents from wandering, and apparently Mary found those measures very frustrating. Becky gave examples of the impairments that Mary was suffering, which were significant, including profound memory issues. Mary’s unit apparently had a back patio sliding door with a small outdoor sitting area. One day, a maintenance person had been working outside Mary’s patio, and they left a ladder there. Mary used the ladder to climb over the fence and walk off of the property! I think Becky said that some nice woman picked Mary up in her car, but quickly realized that Mary probably should not be walking around by herself, and somehow Mary was returned to the facility with no harm done. Becky was amazed that someone who had so much mental impairment could be so quick to take advantage of the maintenance person’s lapse. Apparently a more vigilant eye was kept on Mary after that. That year, when the holidays were approaching, Mary’s family asked her if there was anything she would like to receive as a gift, and Mary said, with no hesitation: “A ladder.” Becky and I shared a big laugh over the absurdity of this. Mary couldn’t remember the names of her relatives, but she could remember that the one thing she wanted most in the world was a ladder! Even when we are dealing with difficult issues regarding our physical health, aging, or senility, it helps to share a laugh. I am grateful for everything that Becky shared with me and with all of us, and I will always remember this shared laugh.

Becky was a listening ear, a warm hug and a friend to all who knew her. She worked for Nicholas S. Hunter, DDS and Lewis Park Dental for 35 years...seeing many of the same patients, who would travel to keep seeing her ,all those years. We will miss her terribly. Our memories together have had us laughing through tears. She sure was a good time! Until we meet again my friend.