Geraldine Ann S. Becker

Berne, NY - Geraldine Shipley Becker passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7, 2009 in the presence of her family at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany after a brief illness. Geraldine (Jerry), the daughter of Walter E. and Marion H. Shipley, was born on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932 in Williamson, NY. She graduated from Williamson Central School and Mansfield State Teachers' College in Mansfield, PA. She moved to Albany County in 1954 to work with the Cooperative Extension Service. She married Maver O. Becker on September 17, 1955 and they lived 54 loving and fulfilling years together on Switzkill Road in Berne. She is survived by three sons, Kenneth, Frederick and Jay, their partners and spouses, Kami Patrizio, Kathy Becker and Shanna Becker, and six grandchildren Elizabeth, Timothy, Aurora, Benjamin, Lukus, and Chandra. She is further survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Kathleen (Shipley) Metzler, Ann Shipley and Hugh Shipley. She was predeceased by older brothers Hugh and Ken, and sister Jean. Jerry worked for Albany County Cooperative Extension early in her career. She served as a substitute teacher for the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District for approximately 20 years and as a bus driver for B-K-W for nearly 50 years. She was an agent with Farm Family Insurance Company for a number of years and worked as a data collector for the Town of Berne Assessor's Office in recent years. Jerry was a charter member and active participant in Albany County Farm Bureau, serving as secretary of the organization for several years. She and Maver were also charter members and past presidents and officers of the Schoharie Valley Hay Shakers, a regional western square dance club. She was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church for the past 54 years, serving at various times as organist and choir director. She was also a long-time member of the Uhai Chapter of Eastern Star, holding several local and regional leadership positions. She cherished the many deep and lasting relationships with close friends from all these organizations. She enjoyed teaching young people to cook and sew during her early career with 4-H and as a judge at the Altamont Fair. Together, Jerry and Maver shared their love of family and farming and enjoyed their frequent travels across the U.S., and other trips to Canada, Europe, Mexico, and Central America often accompanied by family or friends. She found pleasure in reading, lighthouses, working in her flower gardens, and playing the dulcimer and the organ. She treasured time with her family most of all. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 11 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Helderberg Lutheran Church. Family and friends may call at Fredendall Funeral Home, Altamont, NY between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10. Interment will follow the service in Woodlawn Cemetery, Berne. Contributions in Jerry's memory may be made to the Helderberg Lutheran Parish bell tower fund.