Ruth S. Becker

AVON – Ruth S. Becker, 98, passed away December 31, 2020, at The Residence at Brookside in Avon. She was the wife of the late Arnold H. Becker M.D., to whom she was married for 76 years.

Ruth Becker was born August 20, 1922 in Queens, N.Y., daughter of the late William and Sophie (Schochetman) Spiwak. Throughout her life Ruth was active in numerous community causes. She chaired the committee that built the Bristol children’s library, she worked as a social worker and family therapist at Bristol Hospital; and later served as a docent at the Hartford Atheneum. She was also an avid athlete. In her 30's & 40's she was frequently a Bristol tennis finalist in singles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles. She and her husband loved to ski, hike, and jog and was not unusual to see Ruth and Arnie running at the Bristol High School track at 6am most mornings. In her 50's she took up golf and was hooked for the balance of her life. She continued to play well into her 90's.

Ruth and Arnold were active in liberal causes in the 1960’s. They helped organize the first local NAACP chapter in Bristol and started Head Start. Ruth and Arnold organized a Nuclear Freeze group in the Hartford area, and they were active in SANE, an anti -nuclear proliferation organization.

Ruth Becker is survived by her children, Corky Becker and John Sargent of Lincoln, MA, Joel and Nancy Becker of Wolcott, Arthur and Vera Becker of New York, NY, and Richard Becker and Julie Okon of Westport; her granddaughters Emily, Sara, Molly, Melissa, Sophie, Laura, Katy, Jessica, Cecilia, and Josephine; and thirteen great grandchildren, all of whom felt fortunate to have time with Ruth and Arnold. Her family is grateful for the long lives and long marriage that their mother and father enjoyed. We all admired Mom’s courage, vivacity, warmth, and spirit, which continued late into her life, and has been an inspiration to us, our children, and our grandchildren.

Arrangements: Funeral services are private, and burial will be held at the convenience of the family. There are no calling hours and The Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main Street, 06410, is assisting with arrangements. Memorial contributions, in Ruth’s name, may be made to the Becker Family Fund at the Main Street Community Foundation, 120 Halcyon Drive, P.O. Box 2702, Bristol, CT 06011-2702. For online condolences, to share a photo or a story, please visit www.fordfh.com.