Obituary of Luella Theresa Becher
On Thursday, April 9, 2020, Mrs. Luella Theresa Becher (nee Skalicky) of Wainwright, Alberta, passed away at the Wainwright Health Centre at the age of 77 years.
Luella is survived by her loving husband, Henry, and her children Lauranna Charette, Todd Becher, Derek Becher, Scott (Lori) Becher, Kirby (Tracy) Becher, Jason (Veronica) Becher, Ryan (Lorrie) Becher, and Blair (Michela) Becher, and her very beloved grandchildren Emilie, Isabelle, and Nicolas Charette; Jared, Eric, Kailin, and Alexa Becher; Devon and Shea Becher; Vance and Wyatt Becher and their siblings Kurestyn and Alaric; Chloe and Rhett Becher; and Bennett, Heath, and Jacob Becher. She also leaves to cherish her memory 3 sisters: Brenda Skalicky (Greg Jensen), Cheryl Farion (Dave), and Michelle Skalicky; sister-in-law Linda Skalicky; 3 brothers: Bryan Skalicky (Gayle), Mel Skalicky (Alisa), and Rick Skalicky (Marion Shwydiuk); and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Luella was predeceased by her mother Celestine, father George, and brother Adrien.
Luella was born on October 14, 1942, in Hamilton, Ontario. After moving to Saskatoon with her family, Luella graduated from Nutana Collegiate in 1960, and then studied at the University of Saskatchewan for 2 years to become a teacher. She moved to Fairview and began her career at St. Thomas More Catholic School in September of 1962. That fall, Luella met and fell in love with Henry Florian Becher, and the two of them married the following summer, on August 10. She taught for 2 more years in Fairview, before the couple moved to Edmonton, where Luella taught with Edmonton Catholic Schools for half a year. In May of 1966, they relocated to Wainwright.
Through the years, Luella and Henry were blessed with 8 children and 16 grandchildren, and her love for each of them was boundless.
Teaching was Luella’s true calling, and she spent 34 years teaching at Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Wainwright, before retiring to substitute teach for another 20 years, positively affecting the lives of thousands of students. English, Religion, Art, and Math were the main focus of her instruction, but there weren’t many subjects that she didn’t teach in her long and successful career. Beyond the in-class work, Luella was very involved with the school’s extracurricular programs, such as coordinating Grade 9 and Grade 12 graduations; directing many school drama plays, taking charge of decorating the school’s float for the annual Wainwright Stampede parade; spearheading the production of the annual year book; and helping coach school sports teams.
Luella’s ambitions went beyond the school setting, and she did much to improve and enrich her community. Her strong faith led her to be an active member of the CWL, and to being a long-time reader at Blessed Sacrament Parish. She spent many years volunteering with the Wainwright Minor Hockey Association, and she was involved with directing plays with the local theatre company, Theatre 75.
Due to the current circumstances we are all facing, a private family service took take place on Friday, April 17, 2020, at 11:00 AM. Once it is safe to do so there will be a celebration of life in remembrance of Luella for all to attend. If so desired, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Wainwright Hospital CT Scanner Project, or to a charity of your choice.