Obituary of Rebecca Jane Poole

 

Rebbecca Jane Poole, 81, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024 in Westminster, Colorado. Known as Becky to family and friends, she was born July 7, 1942 in Peru, Indiana to Julia Mae and Lowell Edward Wood. She graduated from Westfield High School, Westfield, Indiana in 1960.  After high school, Becky married her classmate Larry Poole and eventually they moved to Arizona. She was married to Larry for over 25 years.  Becky worked for over 40 years in the banking industry. During her retirement years she spent much of her time visiting her children,  grandchildren, and grandpups, meeting up with friends for long talks and lunches, and planting flowers.

Becky's legacy continues to live through her children, Sherry Watts and Chris Poole, her brother, Russ Wood, and her grandchildren, Lexi Johnson and Jonathan Watts. She is fondly remembered by extended family including Nancy Wood, Donna Chase, Brian Watts and Larry Poole, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends in Indiana and Arizona.  There are many cherished memories of Becky and to celebrate her life we are sharing some of our favorites in the hopes that our memories bring back your own memories of your time with Becky.

 

I will miss my Mom dearly, but there are so many memories she left with me. As I look back, my memories center around how important family was and how dedicated she was to us. Despite working outside the house full-time she managed to hand sew countless baton twirling costumes, drive me to weekly baton lessons, and baton twirling contest throughout the United States for over 12 years. She spent hours either in a gym or on ball field cheering Chris and I on. When our team didn’t have warmups like the boys team she made them for the team. At my last basketball event she presented every player with a hand made doll that looked like them in their ASU uniform.  She managed family dinners around Chris and my school and sports schedules. Found time to take motorcycle rides with my Dad. Thanksgiving brought entire team’s to our home. Holidays included Christmas Eve with the Wood family, followed by Christmas Day with just the four of us. As I began my own journey of building a family, the love she showed me guided me in raising my kids….and boy was she a dedicated Grandma. The best gift she gave to my kids was her time. It was a priceless gift. Thanks Mom!

-Sherry

 

My memories of my Mom span five decades and there are not enough words to pay tribute to her for all she did. Her love of family was at the top of her list and it showed in everything she did for me. One of my earliest memories of my Mom is her serving as Pop Warner Mom, always supportive and present whether it be practice or games regardless of wins or losses.  Sunday card nights were an adult affair in our house. My Grandma Pete, Grandpa Woody, Uncle Russ and Aunt Nan would join my Mom and Dad for Euchre nights, although my sister and I weren’t allowed to play I think we got as much enjoyment from it as we listened to them laughing and swearing throughout the games. Pretty sure I heard my first swear words on card night! My Mom’s devotion to my Grandma Pete in her last years was a love that I could not imagine. Watching my Mom care for her Mom again showed how important family was to her. When I left Phoenix after 50 years, I know my Mom was sad to see me go, but the happiness and pride she had when she visited me at the winery in Oregon was a moment I will always cherish. During my last visit with my Mom at Christmas, while I walked by her side, all she wanted to do was hold my hand one last time, once again showing how important family was. Love you Mom! 

- Chris

 

Becky was a loving sister, sister in law, aunt and great aunt. Never forgot birthdays and always a card for the holidays. She will be missed.

Love, -Russ and Nancy Wood and family -Brother, Sister-in-Law

 

At a young age I always remembered going to grandmas house in Arizona! I always loved staying at her house, playing in her outside courtyard, jumping up on her giant bed, and avoiding the edges of the carpet because the little staples would get you sometimes! During one of those trips to grandma’s house we went to spend some time with great grandma. I look back on the photo we took and realized how blessed I was to be able to meet both my grandma and great grandma. Four generations in one photo! One of my unforgettable memories was from middle school was a girls trip, grandma, mom and Itook! It was the trip of a lifetime exploring Italy. The museum, wineries and every place in between, it was such an amazing trip. One night at dinner, we were staying on a winery and grandma insisted I try the wine! I was a little young and had not acquired a taste for it yet but love that she wanted me to enjoy the whole experience which thankfully ended with a delicious lemon gelato to wash down the not so pleasant wine. Over the years and as I got older I always loved any time I got to spend with my family. Something our family has always enjoyed is games. Dominoes, rummy cube, 5 crowns and more. It was always fun competition each and every game! I always got a good laugh when she was not the winner, she would always tell us that we are supposed to let her win! We always had the best time, and now it’s clear where we all got our competitive nature from! I will always look back on all of the amazing memories I had with grandma and cherish the times we had. Remembering all of her fun, goofy, spit fire and lovable characteristics, which I now see in my self more and more everyday.

-Lexi Johnson - Granddaughter

 

When Grandma’s name comes to mind, the first word I think about is love. But love is often confused with a feeling, but love is not that, it’s not the feeling you have inside your stomach or the fullness you feel in your heart, love is an action. Love is what grandma was. It embodied her life. She would always want to help with cooking or play games with the family or spend a weekend talking on the phone. She made the time and effort for those she loved most. It’s what we should all be after as parents, grandparents, sons and daughters, and all the other roles in our lives. To love relentlessly is to live greatly, and that’s what Grandma did. When I was a young kid, I always remembered my favorite time of year: Spring Training Baseball. I would remember my mom asking me if I wanted to go to Arizona to watch baseball and spend time with Grandma. HECK YEAH, I thought to myself. The weekends in the sun talking to the ball players, eating grandma’s fresh breakfast full of eggs and pancakes, and playing games with her were the highlights of my childhood. She took the time and effort for me; she chose the action of love and I’ll always be grateful for that. And within that big heart of grandma, there was always a kid that never left. Christmas is a time for family, one where we would always be together, and the Christmas spirit never left grandma. As a kid, you’re always the first up, running towards the tree to see all the presents, and I’ll always remember waking up at 5 or 6 to run to the tree and who was already there snooping around? Grandma. The little kid in her never left. We would look at all the gifts together and she'd whisper to me, go wake your parents up so we can get the party started. And every year, no matter how early I got up, grandma always seemed to get up before me. She always had that kid in her and she never lost it. Sometimes the biggest moments overshadow the smallest moments or smallest action, which truly are the best moments. Grandma always did the little things that meant the most. She would handmake me cards for the holidays and my birthday. She would write me letters and notes, telling me how much she was thinking about me. She would give me little gifts here and there. But most importantly, she gave me and all those around her time. Time to talk, time to connect, and time to create memories together. Grandma lived a full life because she loved her whole life, by the actions she took and the time and effort she invested. And because she loved relentlessly, she will live forever peacefully. I love you grandma and you will always be in my heart and all of those you touched. 

-Jonathan Watts - Grandson

 

One of the favorite memories I have of Becky is that she enjoyed our motorcycling adventures, whether it be day trips around Arizona by ourselves or with friends or our long trips throughout the west and even cross country. She was not just a fair-weather rider, as she endured riding in the rain or the cold or even sleet and snow, which we encountered on one of our annual chapter rides to San Diego over New Year’s weekend. All the beautiful places we were able to travel, but most of all the friends we met and many of these friendships have lasted almost 40 years.

-Larry Poole - Husband

 

When I first met Becky in 1999 what struck me was her dedication and devotion to Grandma in particular, and her family in general. Everything revolved around family for her. She was so proud of both her grandchildren and I know she enjoyed watching them play their sports and seeing all their many accomplishments over the years. She liked to travel with you, Sherry and I know she held very fond memories of those travels. She loved to hear about Chris’ cycling races. She was so proud of the man he has become in so many ways, she would tell me so. She was a kind and caring friend to those closest to her. She always complimented me on my cooking, and that makes me smile. She had an eye for beauty and was always looking for ways to make her home feel welcoming and pretty. She loved our Pico and he relished his time on her lap. She always made me feel welcome in your family, and for that I am very grateful. 

-Donna Chase - Daughter-in-Law

 

My lasting memory of Becky is her evolving love for our family.  At first, Becky was a protective mother who wanted only the best for her daughter.  When Lexi and Jonathan were born she became an incredibly loving grandmother who participated and reveled in their growth and development.  And through it all, after deciding I was good enough for her daughter, she was a dear mother-in-law. Becky’s love will always be with us. 

-Brian Watts - Son-in-Law  

 

Becky did not want a public service, but rather a private family gathering which we will honor. To honor those who cared for Becky as she lived out her final days, we ask if you so chose that donations be made in her name to the following:

 

Greenridge Place

7700 W 101st Avenue

Westerminister, CO 80021

 

Denver Hospice

8929 E. Lowry Boulevard

Denver, CO 80230