Becky died in her home with her family on January 28, 2020 from complications due to brain cancer. Born in New Bedford, MA on May 16, 1980 to parents Mark Gelinas and Laurie Andrews, she attended Bishop Stang High School from 1994-1997 and graduated valedictorian from New England Christian Academy in 1998. She went on to earn a BA in English and Religion with a minor in Philosophy from Calvin College (Grand Rapids, MI) in 2003. In 2004 she married the love of her life, Jonathan Schiedermayer. She attended Yale Divinity School in 2004.
Becky was an exceedingly open, generous, and kind-hearted person. She was a writer who loved listening and dancing to music. She loved her family above all else, and being an aunt to her four nieces and seven nephews was probably the most important thing to her. She was a good and faithful friend to people from all parts of her life.
In 2004, Becky suffered her first major episode of mental illness, which would lead to a diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder. Becky was diligent in self-care her whole life, and never let her diagnosis define her. Living for periods in both Fall River, MA and Appleton, WI, Becky continued to foster close and empathetic relationships with family and friends, giving selflessly of her time and energies to those around her and expressing herself beautifully in her art and writings.
In addition to her parents, husband, and nephews and nieces, Becky is survived by her stepmother Valerie Gelinas, her paternal grandmother Lorraine Gelinas, and eight siblings (Heidi Pierce, Luke Gelinas, Rachel Verburg, Raymond Garrett, Nathan Gelinas, Leah Crawford, Elizabeth Andrews, and Nicole Gelinas).She is pre-deceased by her stepfather, David Andrews.
She is already terribly missed.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, February 15 at 10am at Arch at the Meadow in Rochester, MA.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mass General Cancer Center Collaborative Care and Community Engagement Program.