Constance E. (Murray) Becker

Constance E. Becker

Constance E. Becker (née Murray), age 90, of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, died on July 30, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Phyllis Murray (née Wielock).

She is survived by her husband, Richard J. Becker, and her children Hilary Becker (Michael Jakubiak), Caroline Kahriger, John Becker (Meghan), and Joanna Johnson (Paul). She is also survived by her grandchildren Peter and Mimi Jakubiak; Brendan, Kyle, and Abby Kahriger; Lauren, Julie, and John Becker; and Elliott and Henry Johnson.

Connie was born in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Her family settled in Manayunk where she attended St. John the Baptist School for grades one through twelve. She graduated from Chestnut Hill College in 1957 with a B.A. in Psychology. Her first job was Executive Assistant to the Treasurer of Pitcairn & Co. in Philadelphia. She met Richard on January 13, 1962 (the feast of St. Hilary) at a dance at the Catholic Alumni Club in Philadelphia, and they married on October 12, 1963. In August 1965, they moved to Havertown, Pennsylvania where they raised their four children. One year later, after her father's passing, she and Richard welcomed her mother into their home, where she lived with them for the next thirty years.

She was active in Annunciation BVM Parish in Havertown and became the first woman elected to its school board, defeating two male candidates. In 1975, she stood before the Pennsylvania State Legislature and successfully advocated for Catholic school students to receive new workbooks each year—so they could write in them instead of reusing them. A lover of art and education, Connie created a school-wide art history program at Annunciation BVM School. She also volunteered with the Philadelphia Museum of Art as a traveling art teacher for elementary school students. In the mid 1980s, she ran for and decisively won the race for Delaware County 8th Ward Committeewoman, a position she held for ten years. She also worked at the Haverford Township Library, where she organized special events and exhibits. In 1991, she was hired as Director of Public Relations at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur in Villanova, Pennsylvania. Even in retirement, she remained active, serving for many years as a docent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, leading tours of the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park.

She will be deeply missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Friday, August 8th 2025, 6:00pm to 8:00pm and Saturday, August 9th 2025, 9:30am to 10:30am at Ruffenach Funeral Home, 4900 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. Her Funeral Mass will be Saturday, August 9th 2025, 11:00am at Annunciation BVM Church, 401 Brookline Blvd, Havertown, PA, 19083.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, 1012 14th St NW, Ste 500, Washington DC 20005 (www.parentprojectmd.org).

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