Submitted by: John C. Monk
Rebecca
Strzelecki-Fountain
SOUTH
BEND - Becky Strzelecki-Fountain was born on January 26, 1964 in
South Bend to Art and Mary (Schneider) Strzelecki. She peacefully
entered the kingdom of God on Sunday, March 14, 2010.
Becky is survived by her husband Jamey Fountain of West Palm
Beach Florida, her father, Art, her stepmother Martha, her
brothers Mike (Gayle), Len (Amy) all living in South Bend, her
stepsister Becky Cain of Indianapolis, Indiana, and her
stepbrothers Kurt (Manami) Valko of Yokosuka Japan and Mark
(Jill) Valko of Olympia, Washington. Becky's mother, Mary Fern
Schneider Strzelecki and sister, Cindy (Jeff) Shelley preceded
her in death. Becky had a special bond with her Busha, Mary
Peczkowski, who took care of Becky after her mom passed away.
Becky will be laid to rest next to her. Becky was a loving aunt
to seven nieces and nephews: Christina Shelley, Keith, Emily,
Melissa, Nick, Ashley, and Lauren Strzelecki. She has a large
extended family of fourteen aunts and uncles and over twenty
cousins. Becky was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick's Church
in South Bend. She graduated from Mishawaka High School in 1982
and Ball State University in 1985 with a Bachelor's Degree in
Special Education. Becky and Jamey were married in 1985. Becky
very much wanted to live in a warmer climate; she convinced Jamey
to move far away from family and they made their home in West
Palm Beach. Becky taught special education to grade-school
students in nearby Belle Glade, Florida. Becky can be described
as sweet, kind, loving, shy, happy, agreeable, and adventuresome.
She was very supportive of Jamey while he went to college
full-time in Florida. She was proud of her home and garden and
loved her dogs, Sidney and Barney. Becky became symptomatic with
Huntington's Disease about the same time Jamey graduated from
college. At that time, they decided to spend this valuable time
together in a unique way--they bought a used RV and toured the
United States for over a year. Since late 2003, Becky's illness
required that she have round-the-clock care. She was well cared
for at Palm Gardens Nursing Home (West Palm) and, more recently,
at Sanctuary of Holy Cross (South Bend). Hospice provided
additional care at both locations and their assistance in Becky's
care is greatly appreciated. Friends and family will be welcomed
on Thursday, March 18 from 10 am until 11 am at Little Flower
Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held at 11 am in the
Chapel at Little Flower with burial to follow at St. Joseph
Cemetery. ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 S. Mayflower Road is
assisting the family. Memorial contributions may be made to
Little Flower Catholic Church 54191 Ironwood Drive, South Bend,
IN 46634 and to Huntington's Disease Society of America 505
Eighth Avenue, Suite 902 New York, NY 10018 1-800-345-HDSA
(4372). For those who are unable to attend the Funeral Service,
condolences for the family may be made at www.sjfh.net
Published in South Bend Tribune on March 17, 2010