Obituary of Nancy J Becker

Nancy Joan Becker, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, Nov 9, 2023, at age 78.  Nancy lived in Basking Ridge, New Jersey for forty-six years, and after her retirement, spent her last eight winters in Palm Coast, Florida.  Nancy valiantly fought congestive heart disease for many years, and died due to additional complications from a recent fall.  

Nancy was born in Chicago, Illinois, the fourth of five children of Bert and Marion Pierce.  The Pierce family lived in Transfiguration of Our Lord Catholic Parish in the same family-owned apartment building with Nancy’s grandparents, aunt and uncle.  While at Transfiguration School, Nancy was a Northside Dash Champion.  She was a member of the Student Council at St. Gregory the Great High School, and she starred there in the musical comedy Plain and Fancy.  Nancy later attended Northwestern University and worked at Chicago Musical College.  In addition to being a full-time homemaker, she went on to manage human resources at the Warren Township Board of Education for nearly 20 years.

In 1969, Nancy and Art Becker were wed.  During their almost 55 years of happy marriage, they lived in Chicago IL, Newport RI, Pensacola FL, Kaneohe HI, Cincinnati OH, Northbrook IL, and Basking Ridge NJ.  Together, Nancy and Art raised three children: Justin, Brad, and Kara.  Nancy filled their longtime home in Basking Ridge with love, music, and laughter.

Nancy indulged her passion for the performing arts by authoring and directing school plays and serving as an award-winning producer for Trilogy Repertory Theater.  Despite her busy schedule, she never failed to enjoy the natural beauty of the area from her favorite vantage point: her screened-in porch.  An unofficial gourmet cook and multi-talented artist, Nancy marked special occasions with delicious meals, original poems and celebrated musical reviews.  Her effortless ability to light up a room remained undiminished while she bravely persevered in the face of health struggles.  She will be remembered by her many friends and loved ones for her wit, kindness, intelligence, and infectious laugh.

Nancy was preceded in death by her cherished sisters Lois Coldewey (Chicago, IL) and Pat Cohn (Houston, TX).  She is survived by her husband Arthur Becker (Basking Ridge, NJ); son Justin Becker and spouse Patty Becker and granddaughter Gretchen Becker (San Jose, CA); son Brad Becker and spouse Sara Becker and grandsons Casey and Dylan Becker (Medfield, MA); daughter Kara Becker and spouse Byron Binkley and grandsons Sagan and Harry Binkley (Portland, OR); her brother Bob Pierce and spouse Merlene (Plano, TX); and her brother Bill Pierce and spouse Teri (San Jose, CA); and numerous beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews. 

There will be a viewing for Nancy on Friday, November 17th, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Gallaway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ.  A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 18th at St. James Roman Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ.  Following the funeral, all are invited to a repast from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Washington House, 55 S. Finley Avenue, Basking Ridge NJ, where luncheon and drinks will be provided.  Nancy’s interment will take place with her family immediately after the funeral at Holy Cross Cemetery and Mausoleum, 145 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nancy’s memory to the American Heart Association, the Morristown Medical Center, or trilogyrepertory.com