Denise K. Becker (Reese)

I have a VERY large family.  My Dad was one of 17 children.  I have 49 first cousins on just one side of my family.  I had a funny experience when I went to Edison Jr. High.  I was standing on the #3 that was painted on the floor.  The teacher had directed me to that number, as she was giving everyone a number to stand on for attendance purposes.  Standing on #4 was Patti.  I was surprised that there was another Becker in school, but didn't think much of it.  Then Patti leaned over and whispered to me, "I was at your Grandpa's house on Sunday".  I said, "Are you related to me?"  She just laughed.  We were actually third cousins, or something like that, as her dad and my dad were cousins.  As soon as I asked her the "family question", which was, "Whose kid are you?" I knew who she was and remembered playing with her many times as a kid.  We just hadn't seen each other in a while.  She was known as Gene's kid, and I was Richie's kid.  If you're from a big family, maybe this makes some sense. 

I didn't see Patti a lot, because our family was so big, and their family usually went to one house while we went to another on  holidays (we never would've all fit in one house).  I didn't even realize that she passed, since both of our fathers had died and that was our common connection.  I just remember her as a very sweet and fun person.  Although we didn't hang together much in high school, it was fun waving to each other in the hallways and knowing we had that special family connection.  Her family, especially her father, were so very kind and helpful when my father died suddenly, right before we re-connected in that Edison gym class attendance line.  Patti always had a wonderful smile that kind of welcomed you in, so to speak.  She was kind and generous.  She will be greatly missed.