Rebecca McKenzie

Bluefield, WV- Rebecca A. “Becky” McKenzie, 67, of Bluefield was released from suffering to a new life on Monday, July 5, 2010. Becky had valiantly fought the increasingly debilitating physical and emotional torment of Parkinson’s Disease for the past twenty-two years, and was confined to bed and wheelchair for much of the last five years of her life. She was born in Beacon, New York on February 8, 1943, the daughter of Robert K. & Ruth Woodall Gould. She attended public schools in New Jersey and North Carolina, and graduated with honors from Cocoa High School in Cocoa, Florida. Becky attended Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, where she met Keith McKenzie. Following their marriage in December, 1963, she graduated in the spring of 1964 with a Bachelors Degree in French. After their graduation, Becky and Keith moved to Bluefield, where she was active in community life. Joining Bland Street Methodist Church, Becky helped lead the Methodist Youth Fellowship and Sundy School Classes. She played handbells at Bland Street Church and also served as Treasurer. Becky was an accomplished organist, serving local churches as needed. She was very involved in a range of youth activities as their children grew up, from scouting to basketball, tennis, baseball, soccer, choir, and PTA, among many others. Certified to teach in North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, Becky taught in various positions with Mercer County Schools for nearly 20 years until Parkinson’s Disease forced her into Disability Retirement. Becky touched the lives of many young people, through both church and teaching, and was often visited by the remarkable young adults she had encouraged years earlier through their challenges in school. While teaching full time, Becky earned a Master’s Degree in Humanities from Marshall University and had completed the credit hours necessary for a Doctorate Degree, lacking only her thesis at the time of her retirement. She was certified to teach French at all grade levels and English at the secondary level, and finished her teaching career at Montcalm High School. Prior to the onset of Parkinson’s Disease, Becky was very active, playing tennis several times a week and enjoying alpine skiing with her family. She was a lifelong baseball fan, rarely missing any Bluefield Orioles’ minor league baseball home games, and an avid college basketball fan, cheering her favorite Blue Devils through their frequent tournament appearances. Becky is survived by her stepmother, Clara Lou Gould of Beacon, NY; her husband of 47 years, Keith McKenzie, of the home; her son Kent, his wife PennySue and their children Quinn and Tempest of Lindenhurst, IL; her son Ross, his wife Libbie and children Will and Andrew of Chapel Hill, NC; and her cousin Lee Smith and her partner Ginger Newton of Durham NC; and her faithful caregiver, Katrina Robinson of Glenwood. Becky’s family will share memories and receive visitors at their home, 812 Albemarle Street in Bluefield, on Thursday, July 8 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and any other convenient time. A memorial service will be held on Friday, July 9, at 2:00 p.m. at Bland Street United Methodist Church in Bluefield, the Reverend D. Homer Stewart officiating In accordance with Becky’s wishes, the family encourages donations in Becky’s memory to the Music Fund of the Friends of Duke Chapel (www.gifts.duke.edu/chapel) or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.MichaelJFox.org). Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family of Rebecca A. “Becky” McKenzie.

Rebecca McKenzie

February 8, 1943 - July 5, 2010