Glenda Gilbert Becerra
(January 17, 1919 - January 11, 2015)
STAFFORD – Glenda Gilbert Becerra, 95, died
January 11, 2015 at Pratt Rehabilitation Center, Pratt. Born January 17, 1919
at Burrton she was the daughter of Clyde E. and Muriel Gilbert Johnson. She
was a 1938 graduate of Jetmore High School. From 1941-43 she was employed at
the Pentagon for the War Dept. From 1953-70 she worked for the Amoco Pipeline
in Stafford, Wichita and Raytown, MO. She is survived by daughters: Diana
Hearn and Chris Bowers. Four grandchildren: Brent Hearn, Bradley Hearn, Tyler
Hearn and Eric Bowers. Four great grandchildren. Graveside service will be
11:00 a.m., Friday, January 16 at Stafford Cemetery. Minnis Chapel, Stafford
is in charge of arrangements.
http://www.minnischapel.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2903085&fh_id=14423
2015-01-16 (via speakerphone, at graveside service):
Greetings. This is José Becerra, nephew of Glenda Claudine Gilbert-Johnson
and Víctor Francisco Becerra-Otero, joining you from Atlanta,
Georgia, with my wife Rosa Belén.
We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to
our cherished cousins Diana María Becerra-Gilbert (and her husband
Merlyn... thank you for the prompt call, Merlyn!) and to Chris
Becerra-Gilbert. Also to Brent Gilbert, Bradley James and Tyler Wade
Hearn-Becerra, as well as to Eric Lee Bowers-Becerra.
[Becerra-Otero Family: pdf]
I'm addressing you according to the Spanish naming
conventions used in Puerto Rico, as tía Glenda did in her letter of April 27 of
2007 to us from which I'm reading now. Our condolences extend to your spouses
and children. Many of you we met in our 2006 visit to Stafford when we delivered
to tía Glenda Víctor’s Bronze Medal, awarded during the Second World War. I had
met Chris and Eric in my previous visit to Kansas in the year 2000 and Eric has
visited with us in Puerto Rico twice.
Both Rosa and I were born and raised in Puerto Rico
where we still keep our second home; we visit it monthly to stay in touch with
family and take care of our older relatives. For the last days we've been in
more frequent communication with our relatives in Puerto Rico remembering
Glenda, sharing her letters and her so lovingly annotated photos.
Victor’s eldest sibling, 93 years old María Mercedes
Becerra-Otero, asked me to convey to you her thoughts and feelings, also on
behalf of her sister Pilar Elisa Becerra-Otero and her whole family, on
this very special occasion. And I quote:
To the Becerra-Gilbert family.
I was sadly surprised to learn about the death of
Glenda. It is always a terrible shock when someone so close passes away.
I still remember when Glenda, Victor and their 2 or
3 years old Diana visited my parents and grandma a long time ago. Of course,
except for my dad, we knew little or any English; but believe me, when love
and understanding are present, difficulties vanish away. Their visit left
very pleasant memories behind.
Glenda was an excellent human being. Fortunate is
the man or woman who, when she or he dies, [is not forgotten as] death can
only take away his or her [body]. Footsteps of love and patience remain in
her path and in everyone who loved her.
I will always remember [Glenda] as part of the
Becerra family. May our love comfort you all.
Mercedes Becerra and family.
[end of quote]
***
And now I quote from my wife Rosa Belén:
I hope that you are doing as well as possible on
dealing with such a great loss.
Glenda was a unique person; we admired her greatly.
We have been reflecting and going over the
pictures, articles, cards and letters that she sent us over the years; her
loving presence in our lives will not be forgotten.
I am so glad that we went to Kansas in 2006; it was
an unforgettable journey.
Love and best wishes,
[end of quote]
***
So, in closing, I join my aunt Mercedes and my wife
Rosa in expressing our gratitude on this occasion. On behalf of all of us, our
children Sofía in Boston, Sebastian and his wife Adina in Atlanta, Ignacio and
his wife Somalee in San Franscisco and from all of us, including my brothers
Francisco (in Miami, Florida) and Enrique and my mother Gladys (in Puerto Rico),
please receive our heartfelt condolences on tía Glenda’s passing.
Glenda was, and is, a very noble soul. She has
certainly earned a fast-track entrance to heaven. She performed outstandingly
well, with high honors, deserving our highest recognition. She had good reasons
to be bitter but she chose the way of love. She found and shared the sweet
mystery of life: she loved deeply.
Once the natural mourning period is over, let's
celebrate her life and her commencement into her new phase of learning, teaching
and loving. She'll always be around, looking after us, loving you and all of us.
Don’t ever we doubt it.
Thank you.
JB
17-19 March 2006
***
17 January 2014
(Source: Facebook photo from Eric Bowers-Becerra]
###
2014
[home]