Research chemist; leader at College of DuPage

Maureen Becker is being remembered as a highly intelligent, graceful, humble and nonjudgmental person.

She passed away Sunday at age 64 after battling melanoma for 16 months.

"I think she represents all the best in terms of the family values and the values of education and good citizenship," said her husband, William Becker. "She was a fine example of those values."

Mrs. Becker lived in Glen Ellyn for 35 years. She was a research chemist at Monsanto Corp. in St. Louis from 1967 to 1972.

From 1990 until her retirement in 2006, she was the education coordinator for the Business and Professional Institute at College of DuPage.

In Glen Ellyn, she was a Girl Scout leader and past president and current treasurer of the Glen Ellyn Chapter of the American Association of University Women.

In August 2006, Becker began battling melanoma. Her daughter was getting married in May 2007, and she did everything in her power to attend.

"She not only made it, but she was outstandingly beautiful and personable that evening," William Becker said. "It shows her tenacity and strong will to live."

Mr. Becker said several weeks after her daughter's wedding, his wife became very ill.

"She lived 16 months when statistically, she only had seven," he said.

Most of all, Becker will miss his wife's smile.

"I will miss most her amazing smile and her equilibrium," he said. "No matter what came her way, she was always amazingly smooth about it."

Mrs. Becker, born in Albany, N.Y., and is survived by her husband, William Becker, daughter Catherine Becker and siblings Ronald DeBlois, Mariann Thomson and David DeBlois.

Visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Leonard Memorial Home, 56 S. Duane St., Glen Ellyn, with a memorial service and sharing of memories at 4 p.m. For details, call (630) 469-0032.