Rebecca "Becky" McDonald Currence

1940 - 2017

Rebecca "Becky" McDonald Currence obituary, 1940-2017, New Orleans, LA

BORN

1940

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Rebecca Currence Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Nov. 17, 2017.

Rebecca McDonald Currence, a longtime volunteer, died Friday (Nov. 17) at Ochsner Medical Center of complications of a fall. She was 77.

Born Mary Rebecca McDonald and known to all as Becky, Mrs. Currence was born in Lenoir, N.C., on June 7, 1940. She graduated from Lenoir High School and from Wake Forest University. She majored in political science and was active in politics; she was statewide secretary of Young Democrats. She also sang in the Wake Forest Touring Choir and worked on the yearbook and campus newspaper.

She married Richard Morrison Currence on July 8, 1962, and moved to New Orleans, where she taught for 13 years at Marjorie Walters School for Gifted Children and Sam Barthe School after teaching for a year in North Carolina.

Mrs. Currence was also an active fundraiser, working at the Isidore Newman School before becoming executive director of the Louisiana Museum Foundation.

After Hurricane Katrina struck, Mrs. Currence became a member of the Executive Committee of Women of the Storm, an organization that made three trips to Washington, D.C., to persuade lawmakers to visit New Orleans and see the storm’s devastation so they would understand the need for federal help for the area’s recovery. After the BP oil spill, the group’s reach extended to encompass the Gulf Coast; women from Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida joined the New Orleans contingent for a trip to Washington to stress the importance of federal help in cleaning up after the environmental disaster and restoring the coastline.

She also was chairwoman of the board running Longue Vue House and Gardens.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Morrison Currence; two sons, John McDonald Currence (Bess) of Oxford, Miss., and Richard Morrison Currence Jr. (Mathilde) of New Orleans; a sister, Phyllis Cheryl McDonald of Charlotte; a grandson, John (Jack) McDonald Currence II of New Orleans; and three granddaughters, Lucille Caliste Currence and Frances Villere Currence, both of New Orleans, and Mary Molloy (Mamie) Currence of Oxford.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Avenue in New Orleans, on Monday, November 20, 2017 at 12 noon. A visitation will be held at the church beginning at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the charitable organization of your choosing.

To view and sign the guestbook, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Rebecca Currence

Sponsored by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries.

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Not sure what to say?

November 11, 2019

Student

Phil & Mark Carpenter

Becky was unforgettable in so many ways. Coolest teacher at Sam Barthe! Smart, caring, and passionate. R.I.P. Dear Becky.

July 7, 2019

Student

Debra Daspit

She was a wonderful teacher. I will never forget her and how she helped me feel like someone worthwhile! (I was one of her students at Walters Prep.)

December 9, 2017

Kathryn Lanier

Dear Mr. Currence, John, and Richard,
I'm so very sorry to hear of her passing! She truly led an inspiring life of love, community, and creativity. I know this loss is heavily felt and pray that you find comfort in one another and in her legacy of goodness. She will be greatly missed by all! You are in my thoughts and prayers.

November 21, 2017

Chantal Gautier

Dear Dick and family
Our thoughts are with you all in this difficult time. We keep many memories of Becky,a wonderful, fun and witty lady. Knowing she left peacefully soothes our pain.
Love
Bernard, Chantal

November 20, 2017

Santiago Quant

Mr. Currence,

I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

Regards

November 20, 2017

So, so, sorry to hear about Becky, Richard. My prayers to you and everyone in the family. My love to everyone.
Becky Dunham Munger

November 20, 2017

As Newman parents and Development Office co-workers, Becky and I became friends. What fun when John, Richard or one of my three children would "pop into" the office for a visit, usually for "no reason" ... How they were missed as each one graduated! Sweet, kind lady will be remembered and missed.
Barbara Cohen Heim

November 20, 2017

Mark Smith

Miss Currence taught me in 8th grade at Sam Barthe School in Metairie. She was one of my best and one of my favorite teachers. She was smart, funny, and really wanted to impart knowledge and a love of learning to her students. She is remembered fondly by all her had the privilege of being taught by her and she will be missed. My sincerest condolences. Mark W. Smith, Sam Barth School for Boys, 8th grade, 1972.

November 19, 2017

Chrissie & George Griffin

Dear Richard,
Regretfully, we can't be with you today to say goodbye to dear Becky. She will be sorely missed by us, as well as many others whose lives she touched. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys as you try to comprehend. Please stay in touch, and let us know if there is anything we can do to help.
Much love,
Chrissie and George

November 19, 2017

Dick, Richard and John,
So saddened by Becky's death. We will keep you in our thoughts as you move forward in this time of great loss.
Larry Eustis

November 18, 2017

Angelo & Jennifer La Martina

We ran across this writing today ... May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying. ....

We think Becky definitely epitomized this sentiment with all she did for her community and everyone around her. She will be sorely missed by all she touched in so many ways.

Angelo La Martina & Jennifer Marusak

November 18, 2017

Keith and Gloria Lousteau

Dick Richard and John.
We are so saddened to hear the news of Beckie's passing.May you find solace in the memories the good times. God bless each of you

November 18, 2017

Phyllis Browning

Becky, as we fondly called her, inspired all who were blessed to be considered her friend. She lived life to the fullest, as a teacher, mother and wife. Whatever she did, from political activism or dove hunting, she did with great enthusiasm. She was a joy to be with and will be sadly missed by all. Bob and I will be with you in spirit on Monday, because we will be in Memphis attending a Junior Tennis Development Workshop, a cause we actively support which we are sure Becky would support. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Currence family at this time. Comfort should be given, knowing Becky will be welcomed into the community of God. Fondly, Robert and Phyllis Browning

November 18, 2017

Susan Weisfeld

Dick, John & Richard,

My heart broke when I heard of Becky's passing. I am so very sorry for the pain of your loss. Please know that you and your entire family are in my prayers for peace and comfort during this extraordinarily difficult time.

I am so very grateful for her imprint on my life. She helped mold so many of us when she was our teacher all those years ago. Her friendship, kindness and integrity have left an indelible mark.

God bless you and much love to you all! XoXo

November 18, 2017

Gary Mannina

Dick, Richard, and John,

Saddened to read this news.

Prayers assured.

November 18, 2017

Barbara White

Dearest Dick and boys, So sorry for your loss - I loved her dearly. I hold you close in ny heart and prayers.

November 18, 2017

Adrienne (Jones) Weitzel

My heart goes out to the whole Currence family. You are in my thoughts and prayers, with hope that peace will come from the sorrow.

November 18, 2017

Richard, Mathilde and family,
We are so, so sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Kristen and Gene Dry

November 18, 2017

Darrell Meeks Brannon

Richard and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Darrell

November 18, 2017

We will miss you

Kay and Gary

November 18, 2017

Becky was an inspiring wife and mother and friend. She made the most of her time here on earth and will have an impact in heaven. we will be with you in spirit Monday although cannot be there in body. Mac and Carole

November 18, 2017

Betsy Ordemann

Dear Dick, John, & Richard, I'm so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of teaching with Becky at Sam Barthe so many years ago. And I always loved seeing her at Trinity Church. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. God bless you and comfort you.

November 18, 2017

Ronald McWhirt

Jane and I are so very sorry to learn that Becky is no longer with us. We are so sorry for the void the family must be feeling at this time. You all are very much in our thoughts and prayers. We truly feel after her questionable response to treatment that her quality of life would have been greatly impaired for the remainder of her life resulting in additional pain and suffering. Not a way anyone would want to live. She is now in a better place where there is no pain nor suffering. Rest In Peace!!!!

November 18, 2017

Gordon Johnson

Rest In Peace My Friend.

November 18, 2017

Mark Carpenter

Becky inspired me at Sam Barthe as a bright and dynamic woman. I'm thankful I had her as a teacher and mentor. RIP.

November 18, 2017

Joan Grimmett

My thoughts are prayers are with cousin Richard and the family.

November 18, 2017

George Matthews

Dick, John and Richard, I was heartbroken to learn of your loss. What a wonderful person, Becky was. I have such fine memories of all of you. May God Bless.

Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results

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Memorial Events
for Rebecca Currence

Nov

20

Visitation

11:00 a.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church,

1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans,, LA

Nov

20

Memorial service

12:00 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church,

1329 Jackson Avenue, New Orleans, LA

Funeral services provided by:

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124

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