Cassandra Jean Becker, “CJ” , 24 of Cobleskill, NY died
Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in San Diego, California at home with her family by her side after a inspirational battle against leukemia.
Cassandra was the firstborn child of James and Melissa Becker, born in Cooperstown, NY on February 14, 1986. She predeceases two brothers Alexander, 21 and Christopher, 20.
She was a 2004 graduate of the Cobleskill-Richmondville High School. CJ played many sports, but her passion was playing goalie for the soccer team and catcher for the softball team. She was the Most Valuable Player and received the Blue Bat award for the school softball team in her senior school. She also enjoyed participating on several traveling softball teams.
Cassandra had a passion for Christ. Her favorite Bible verse, and one she lived by was Matthew 4:19; Follow me, he told them, and I will make you fish for people. She was very active in her local church, Zion Lutheran Church, Cobleskill. Cassandra was active in prayer groups in Okinawa, Japan and with the Rock Church in San Diego. She enjoyed church related youth outings such as Funyacking, Creation, the 30-Hour Fast and assisting with Vacation Bible School. Cassandra had sponsored since she was 16, three Compassion children from South America. She enjoyed girl scouts, having earned her silver award. Her other pursuits included climbing Mt. Fuji, Marine Corps Martial Arts (she achieved brown belt status), scuba diving, and running.
Cassandra enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2004, serving as an ammunition technician. She was the Honor Graduate of her specialized training school at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. She completed a tour of duty in Al Asad, Iraq (from 9/07-3/08) during which she was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for exceptional meritorious performance in a combat zone. She received the MCCS Semper Fit Fitness Summit Challenge Award for running. More recently, CJ earned the rank of Sergeant in the fall of 2008 while assigned to her last duty station on Okinawa, Japan. During her enlistment, CJ was working towards a bachelor degree through the University of Maryland University College Asia with a concentration in financial planning. Even during aggressive chemotherapy Cassandra continued to work on her studies.
In addition to her parents, James and Melissa, and her brothers, Alexander and Christopher, Cassandra is survived by her great-grandmother, Mary Jones; her maternal grandparents, Robert and Kathleen Jones; her paternal grandparents, Donald and Martha Becker; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and her best friend Amber Borucki. Other maternal grandparents include Peter Fuegmann and Cassandra’s deceased grandmother, Sandra Fuegmann.
A memorial service with miliatary honors will be held for Cassandra on Sunday, April 11, 2010 at the Cobleskill-Richmondville High School football field beginning at 12 noon with a reception to follow. In addition, a church service is being planned for Saturday, April 10, 2010, but details have not been finalized. In lieu of flowers, her family is requesting that donations be made to a scholarship fund created in Cassandra’s memory. Donations can be made in person at any local NBT branch or mailed to NBT Bank, 691 E. Main Street, Cobleskill, NY 12043 for The Cassandra Jean Becker Memorial Scholarhsip Fund.
CJ’s family would like to thank all those who supported Cassandra and her familiy during her couragous battle. In particular the staffs of the USMC Wounded Warrior Battalion West, The Naval Medical Center San Diego, University of California San Diego’s Thornton Hospital at La Jolla, members of the Rock Church, Hospice of San Diego and finally all those who sent cards, gifts, prayers or offered support through Cassandra’s Caring Bridge site.
“I’ve got this.” These are three words that sum up her life. She repeatedly told her family that “This is how it is suppose to go” and “You know no matter what, I will be okay”. There are not any other words that bring such comfort as knowing your loved one is ready.
