Helen Paskewicz Becker

Helen Paskewicz Becker, of Ellicott City, died the 9th of December.  The Ellicott City resident was 91.

She was born and raised in Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania.  After her marriage to Earl F. Becker Jr., of Bangor, PA., she and her husband moved to Philadelphia, then lived in Frederick, Catonsville, and settled in Ellicott City in 1976.  Dr. Earl Becker, her husband of 51 years, died in 2003.

She attended Churchman Business College in Easton Pennsylvania and Pierce Business College in Philadelphia.  She received an Associate of Arts degree from Catonsville Community College in 1989.

She held positions which included, secretary at Structural Slate Company in Pen Argyl, PA.; secretary at Philco Corporation in Philadelphia; executive secretary to the president of Baltimore Paint and Color Works, Baltimore.  After her four children were in school, she held positions at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore.  She was unit secretary in Emergency Services; secretary, Ambulatory Care Department; Secretary, Public Relations Department; Public Relations Assistant from 1983-1987; and then Assistant Director of Public Relations until her retirement in 1993.

As Assistant Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Becker was editor of the hospital newsletter, the St. Agnes News; photographer for hospital events, liaison with the news media, writing and photography for annual reports, brochures, press releases, etc… During this time Mrs. Becker was the recipient of awards from the Maryland Delaware DC Press Association for photography, brochures, annual reports and the newsletter.

Mrs. Becker was a member of St. Louis Church in Clarksville.  She served as a member of The Spirit of St. Louis newsletter committee from 1997 to 2001.  She contributed articles and took photographs from the newsletters, as well as the St. Louis Catholic Church annual reports.  She was a member of the St. Louis Garden Club and served as it’s president from 1999 to 2001.  She was also a member of the Hospitality Ministry and the Bereavement Ministry-Mourning Team at St. Louis Church.

She enjoyed refinishing antique furniture, sewing and gardening as well as bridge, dominoes and book club.

She is survived by her children, Earl F. Becker III, of Anchorage, AK, Susan Becker of Laurel, MD, Dr. Cindi Becker of Boyds, MD and Laura Porterfield of Reston, VA, six grandchildren and a sister, Julia Ponist of Nazareth, PA.  She had six other siblings who predeceased her.

Family and friends are invited to Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City on Thursday, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be said on Friday, at St. Louis Catholic Church (Chapel), 12500 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville. Interment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gilchrist Hospice, 11311 McCormick Road, Suite 350, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 or online at www.gilchristcares.org, or to Neighbor Ride of Howard County, 5570 Sterrett Place, Suite 102, Columbia, MD 21044 or online at www.neighborrideorg. 

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