Sutton—Elizabeth L. “Betty” (Blomquist) Becker, 70, left us to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, surrounded by family and friends. She leaves her loving husband, best friend, and soul mate of 32 years, Philip C. Becker. She was born in Cambridge, MA, daughter of the late Oden G. and Louise (Anderson) Blomquist of Belmont. She graduated from Belmont Senior High School and attended Northeastern University, where she majored in sociology. She was predeceased by her brother, Robert O. Blomquist. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.
Betty worked for many years as a secretary for doctors and at Boston Children’s Hospital. She also had a long career with Raytheon Corporation.
Betty was a person who had a strong love of life. Until recently, she was very active and vibrant. She often was feisty and full of Swedish stubbornness, but she could also be funny, loving, caring, and affirming. She was extremely proud of her Swedish heritage, and embraced her Lutheran Christian faith. She was a member of Nordic Lodge No. 611, Vasa Order of America. Betty was editor of the lodge’s newsletter, Nordic’s Nyheter, for several years, and had been editor of Vasa’s district newsletter. She was an active member of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, was a former choir member, and participated in the Slightly Older Couples’ Club.
Her outside interests included travel, entertaining, cooking, and sewing, along with gardening, painting, ceramics, reading, and crossword puzzles. The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff of St. Vincent Hospital, along with all of her friends who have been so caring. Her church has been especially supportive during her extended period of life-threatening illness. Her passing marks a release into that place of abundant, eternal life that Christ promises us.
The late ecumenical theologian, Dr. Kosume Koyama, in discussing death, once “recalled the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. He said Jesus would be with others the same way. Looking into our eyes and heart, Jesus will say: ‘You’ve had a difficult journey. You must be tired and dirty. Let me wash your feet. The banquet’s ready.’”
Visiting hours will be on Friday, April 3, from 5-8 p.m. at Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, Worcester. A funeral celebrating Betty’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 4, at Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Auburn. A private distribution of ashes will be held at a later date in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the social ministry committee of Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 90 Bryn Mawr Avenue, Auburn, MA 01501. For directions and to access the online condolence book, please click on link below.