Becky Mayo

In many ways, Becky Mayo defined the meaning of devoted wife, dedicated mother, loyal friend and conscientious worker. She was the foundation of her family and whether it was through her personal life or business life, Becky made a lasting impact and influenced many. Laughter was always a welcome part of her life along with enjoying the company of family and friends who meant so very much to her. Greatly missed, she will forever remain a treasure in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

The third of eventually six children to Oscar and Lois (Danley) McVay, Rebecca’s father worked as a manager with Montgomery Wards while her mother, a homemaker, looked after the children. Rebecca was affectionately referred to as Becky throughout her life and along with her siblings, attended the local schools. Due to her father’s job, Becky and her family moved often and came to call many places home over the years. Even so, Becky’s outgoing and social personality allowed her to make good friends wherever she went, a trait that continued throughout her life.

Over time her family settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan where Becky attended high school. While in high school, there was more on Becky’s mind than just her studies. During this time she also met the boy of her dreams. Both students at Kalamazoo Central High School, Ed Mayo was a dashing young man and a year ahead of Becky, he quickly stole her heart. Young and in love, they soon became sweethearts. Becky went on to graduate with the Class of 1951 and three years later she and Ed shared vows of marriage on May 24, 1954 before a congregation of family and friends. With its rustic charm, the two shared a memorable honeymoon at the Potawatomi Inn along the shores of Lake James in the Pokagon State Park, Indiana.

Quite organized, Becky planned every detail of her family’s life and everything in her life with precision. From meals to trips to life in general, she had a way of planning with care and rarely missed a beat! Her attention to detail and organizational skills not only made for a very smooth running home, but served her well in the years to come when she began a career in banking.

When her children were all school age Becky set out for the working world. She began working at First National Bank and before long was promoted to manager. When it came to work, Becky was very precise in all she did and excelled exceptionally well. She put everything she had into her career and loved the social interaction tremendously. She remained at the bank for the next 25 years, eventually retiring in the early 1990s.

Becky made friends wherever she went. Whether she was enjoying a day shopping, working or attending an event, she easily enjoyed the company of others and made friends easily, some of which have become close, longtime friends. She loved hosting dinner parties and was a very social woman. With a love of laughter, Becky had a wonderful sense of humor and was a joy to be around. She wasn’t too excitable, and it took a lot to get her riled up, but when she meant business, she was all that and more.

When Becky and Ed retired they spent the following 15 years wintering in Florida on Anna Maria Island off the coast of Bradenton. Becky absolutely loved it there and made many close friends whom she considered her second family. She spent her days there enjoying her love of reading, relaxing, time with Ed and their many friends. Along with reading, Becky always enjoyed watching an old movie and was fond of musicals. She knitted in her spare time, usually washcloths, and disliked referring to them as “dish rags”! One for a good game, she particularly liked playing pinochle with her dear friend Julie.

Throughout Becky’s life she led by example and played an important role not only in the lives of her family but to those she touched in general. Although she was diagnosed with cancer 11 months ago, she continued to hold a strength that was all her own. She helped plan, organize and direct, which was such a big part of the woman who Rebecca Mayo was, right up to the very end. At the age of 77, Becky died on Thursday, January 6, 2011 peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.

Services will be held Tuesday, January 11, 2010, 2:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Dr, 375-2900 where a reception will follow in the Life Story Center. Becky was preceded in death by her parents and three siblings. Surviving is her husband of 56 years, Ed Mayo; three children: Kim (Mark) Skelding; Tim (Jackie) Mayo and Kelly (Marian) Mayo; five grandchildren: Adam, Susan, Tyler, Allen (Lisa) and Elizabeth; two sisters: Jean Kimball and Jenny (Al) Lawson; brother-in-law, Elton Mayo; many nieces and nephews. Please visit Becky’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can view her Life Story, submit a memory, photo or sign her online memory book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be directed to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.