Jody Anne Becker
Jody Anne Becker died peacefully October 31, 2021 in San Antonio, TX with her daughter Laurel by her side. Jody was born on July 24, 1922 in Chicago, IL to Joseph and Della Goldstein.
Jody majored in journalism at the University of Illinois. She met the love of her life while he was on a ladder hanging a poster and she was cutting a bowling class. A coke date led to 73 years of marriage to Jules Becker.
During WWII, Jody was home with their first child while her husband served overseas. After the war, they settled in Highland Park, IL where they built their first house. Jody’s favorite architect was Frank Lloyd Wright, so she wrote to him to request his services. (He declined.) She honed her journalism skills working first as a reporter for the local paper, and then as a stringer for W Magazine (the trade publication for Women’s Wear Daily).
The family moved to California in 1953, settling in Ross in 1958. Jody continued as a stringer for many years, while raising their four children and completing her undergraduate degree at Dominican University.
Jody’s first foray into politics was to organize and host a local fundraiser for John F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign, with Ted Kennedy as the keynote speaker. She continued to be active in Democratic politics throughout her life.
In the early 1970’s, Jody flipped houses. She was aggravated when she had to provide her husband’s financials for her second rental property. Subsequently, she partnered with another woman to organize the first savings and loan in California founded by women.
At 57, Jody embarked on a new pursuit as a mediator with Marin Mediation Services. She served on national professional society boards and taught mediation classes at the College of Marin during her 18-year career.
Jody was a lifelong volunteer. Her twin passions were the arts and juvenile justice issues. She served on multiple local, regional, and national museum boards.
Jody also served on the court-appointed Marin County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission, occasionally as chair. At age 90, Jody re-joined the Marin County League of Women Voters, and immediately agreed to chair the Committee on Human Trafficking.
Jody enjoyed spending free time with her family and friends. She never met a stranger at her door, welcoming them with a meal within minutes. Jody was a fun, savvy force of nature.
The Beckers had four children: Glenn (Roberta Wain-Becker), Donna, Elizabeth (Anthony Ruvolo), and Laurel (Rex Black). Preceding her in death were her husband and their son. Survivors include 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made in honor of Jody Anne Becker to the Jules and Jody Anne Becker Scholarship in the College of Media at the University of Illinois. Donations by check may be made payable to: University of Illinois Foundation, with the "Jules and Jody Anne Becker Scholarship" in the memo line. Checks may be mailed to: University of Illinois Foundation, P.O. Box 734500, Chicago, IL 60673-4500. To give online, please visit https://uif.uillinois.edu/give-online. Type in the Jules and Jody Anne Becker Scholarship and the amount under “Other” and click “Add.” Donations may alternatively be given to the charity of your choice.
Private services are pending.