Page created by: Berge family

It is with great sadness that the family of Rebecca Jane Berge announced her passing on March 23, 2024 at the age of 83. Becky was born December 30, 1940 in West Covina and raised in Glendora, California. She was a vibrant personality, loved to socialize and made friends everywhere she went.

She maintained friendships from her early years in Glendora and continued to travel with the “Citrus girls” until recently. She graduated from Citrus Union High School in Glendora, and earned a full scholarship to USC. At USC, she graduated with her master’s degree in Education in 1962 and became an English teacher. At 23, she married her neighbor from Manhattan Beach, a young rocket scientist from Washington, Larry. They were inseparable. They had three children and a busy life in the new community of Mission Viejo.

Becky had numerous hobbies and various careers throughout her life. She pursued paleontology as a hobby and was known in Orange County as the ‘fossil lady’. She published a curriculum for the school district, and created a team of people to teach elementary school children about fossils. Many a weekend was spent with the family on fossil digs, unearthing shark teeth and whale bones that home developers bumped into as they were developing south Orange County.

She ultimately became a realtor in Mission Viejo and was known to many; she worked in real estate for over 40 years. In 2009, she represented the city of Mission Viejo on their Rose Parade float. Becky was involved in Larry’s aerospace career and often accompanied him to rocket launches. She also taught citizenship classes and ESL and loved to learn about cultures and people. Additionally, she was a docent at the Joan Irvine Smith Museum of California Impressionist art. She enjoyed local plein air artists in the area and was even painted by one. Becky proudly served with the ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Students), a volunteer organization of women dedicated to providing scholarships to academically outstanding students to complete their degrees in science, medicine and engineering. A true passion for Becky and Larry was travel. Kauai was a favorite destination, but they went to many countries in their journeys together, from South Africa to Cambodia, from Norway to the Galapagos Islands. She was a lifelong learner and instilled that in her children.

Becky will be remembered for her love of family, her faith in God and her trust in Jesus. She was in a beloved Bible Study group at Saddleback Church and loved to serve in various ministries including the military ministry. She made a lasting impression on every person she met.

For 10 years, Becky bravely battled Parkinson’s disease, during which she immersed herself in research, took up boxing, and changed to an all organic diet. She demonstrated persistence, courage, compassion and faith even as the disease intensified. Becky is survived by her best friend and partner of sixty years, Larry; her daughter Alison and Miles Mahoney and their children Morgan, Ryan and Sean; her daughter Melinda and Douglas Echeverria and their daughter Sophia; and her son Brian; also by her cousins Cindy (and John) Soja and Michael (and Mitzi) Hunter. Becky was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Sylvia Fine, her brother Jerry and her grandson Jack. She adored her grandchildren and they will always cherish their “G-Ma”.