Becky

Today this world lost one amazing woman. Becky (in the red apron) was married to my Dad's younger brother, Kelly (another amazing person who deserves his own entry), and was always right up there with my mom in terms of being a woman I admired. Her home was open to anyone and everyone who needed a place to feel welcome, to laugh, to talk, to eat, and to love life. She worried more about helping people feel good about themselves than worrying about what people thought of her. Every holiday was celebrated for weeks through the decorations, treats, and traditions that were so Becky. As she cared for my dad's parents unceasingly until, and even after their deaths (cleaning out their home, etc.), I was in awe of her example of a faithful daughter-in-law. She did what was right, no matter the consequences--even sending her youngest out on his mission knowing that she might not see him again in this life.

Some people are so optimistic that they drive you crazy, and some people are so realistic that they are critical and seemingly without hope. Becky was perfectly balanced between the two--an optimistic realist...or maybe a realistic optimist :) She readily admitted and recognized challenges, but worked as hard as she could and hoped for the best. This is definitely one reason she was able to fight so long the cancer that took her life. Becky loved and lived life to the fullest, squeezing as much as possible out of every day. Even those 8 years with the pain and fatigue of cancer and its taxing treatments, she and her family were outside doing something every time you turned around--hiking, camping, boating, river rafting (almost to their deaths :) ), traveling to pick up their missionary kids, snowmobiling, gardening, serving in the church, etc, etc, etc.

Some great Becky one-liners (from her kids and Uncle Kelly):

--"I am going to go on strike!"

--"Do you want a knuckle sandwich?"

--"How many air miles do you have?"

--"AGAIN?"

--"The best gift you can give someone is a good example."

I'm so thankful for the influence of this righteous woman in my life.

I loved what Mark wrote here: http://markandaup.blogspot.com/?zx=7f1057973d454de3

Her obituary:

Rebecca Firmage Ellis Aug. 6, 1953 ~Aug. 29, 2009

Beloved Rebecca (Becky) Firmage Ellis, 56, died Saturday, August 29, 2009 at home, following a courageous battle with breast cancer. She was born August 6, 1953 in Kingsport, Tenn. to Margaret Felt and D. Allan Firmage and moved with her family to Provo, Utah when she was two years old.

Becky married her true love and best friend Kelly Taylor Ellis, on December 27, 1975 in the Provo, LDS Temple and they were blessed with five devoted children.She was a graduate of Provo High School and earned both a bachelor's and master's degree from Brigham Young University in dance and later a EdD from BYU in Educational Leadership.

In Becky's life her family always came first. She loved being a wife and a mother and was definitely the biggest cheerleader for each of her five children and four grandchildren as she supported and encouraged them to develop their individual strengths and talents.Throughout her life she was able to balance family responsibilities and fun, with her love of dance and creative movement as she taught Children's Dance at BYU, and Academics Through Movement for Elementary Education students at UVU. She especially loved teaching the BOYS Dance classes which she did for 18 years at BYU. In June of this year she took eight of her BOYS to New York City and with them presented at the National Dance Educator's Organization. Becky demonstrated how to teach boys to use their creativity, rhythm and strength in dance and still allow themselves to be boys.She was a faithful member of the LDS Church and had served as a Young Women's President, counselor in the Stake Young Women's Organization, Relief Society President, Activities Committee Chair, Webelos leader, and most importantly, a loving Visiting Teacher. She had a strong testimony of the gospel and eternal families.

Becky is survived by her husband, Kelly, children Jake (Cindy), Chet (Laura), Andee (Spencer) Bott, Clay, and Elder Michael (Mick) Ellis (currently serving in the Mexico, Monterey West Mission of the LDS Church), 4 grand-daughters, Aubrey, Taylor, Avery, and Ireland, one soon-to-be grandson Mason (due Sept. 18), her father, D. Allan Firmage, sisters, Kathy Campbell (Kailua, HI), Jeri Walton (Alpine, UT), Nita Price (Reno, NV), and brothers, Richard (Kaysville, UT), and Ron (Orem, UT). She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Felt Firmage.

The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Dr. William Reese and Dr. Nathan Rich and their staffs for their loving care during her eight year battle.