Carolyn Copes Becker

On October 29, 2012, Carolyn Copes Becker of Ogden died following a five-month struggle with esophageal cancer.

Carolyn was born on August 26, 1949, the daughter of William and Dorothy Liles Copes of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The family soon moved to Baker, Louisiana, where Carolyn graduated from Baker High School. She then graduated from Louisiana State University with an Honors degree in History before becoming Textbook Manager of the LSU Union Bookstore for two decades. While there, she met and married Robert A. Becker of the History Department at LSU. They had three children (Matthew, Deborah and Christopher). The marriage lasted until her death.

About twelve years ago, Carolyn and her family moved to Ogden; she became the manager of the Weber State University Bookstore. While there, the serious health problems that would cloud her last years began, starting with chronic pancreatitis, and later including cancer and a following stroke that deprived this woman who so loved books of the ability to read. She managed to keep up remarkable cheer, enjoying playing with her 18-month old grandson and, on her last good day before her final crisis, introduced him to M and Ms. (He liked them.) Admonished about giving him candy, she replied "That's what grandmas are for."

She is survived in Utah by her husband, Robert, her daughter, Deborah and her grandson, Aidan; in Mississippi, by her son, Matthew, her brother, Pete and his wife, Terri; in Tennessee by her son Christopher; and in Louisiana , by her father, William and three other siblings, Linda, Dorothy Gail and Robert.

At Carolyn's request, no funeral or memorial service will be held for her. Her ashes will be distributed by the family at the place she chose. However, donations in her memory to any charitable organization that aids children who are ill, hungry or abused would be much appreciated on her behalf.