Rebecca Josephine Nakamura, age 77, beloved wife and mother, peacefully passed on August 15, 2021, in Surprise, Arizona.
Becky was born on April 4, 1944, in Thatcher, Arizona, to Leslie Hakan Farley and Halcyon Marie Morgan. She was a true Arizona native and spent her entire life in the Grand Canyon State. She grew up in the small town of Thatcher surrounded by her sisters Joyce, Judy, Jessica, and brother Joe. Yes, her parents somehow deviated from the “J” names but counted it good by including it in her middle name. She met and married Bill French and through their marriage were blessed with one son and two daughters, Bill, Jennifer, and Sandra. In 1979, she married Kazuo Nakamura. They shared 42 years together and were blessed with one daughter, Natalie.
Becky spent most of her professional career working in the agricultural industry as a bookkeeper. She was highly regarded by her co-workers who became some of her life-long friends. After more than 50 years in the workforce, she finally decided to slow down and retired in July 2013. Becky inherited her love of music from her family. She was a member of the ASU Choral Union and had the opportunity to travel internationally to perform with the choir. A faithful member of her church for her entire life, she served in numerous callings, touching many with her selfless service and example of love. She was an avid sports fan and especially loved watching football, baseball, and tennis. You would always find her keeping her fingers busy crocheting a blanket or a burp cloth. Who knew the world was such a cold place and that babies spit up so much! But Becky had them all covered.
Becky was loved by many but most by her family. She is survived by: her husband, Kazuo; and children, Bill French (Janice), Jennifer Anderson (Mike), Sandra Nucci (Brad) and Natalie Matkin (Shawn); fifteen grandchildren: Will (Bill and Janice), Justin, Victoria, Kristin, and Erin (Jennifer and Mike), Rebecca, Sabrina, Benjamin, Abigail, and Nathaniel (Sandra and Brad), Samuel, Lillian, Brigham, Zachary, and Weston (Natalie and Shawn); nine great-grandchildren; and her siblings, Joyce Layton, Judy Farley, Jessica Sandeno, and Joseph Farley. Becky is preceded in death by: her parents; sister, Sandra; and granddaughter, Jazmine French.
Family received friends Thursday, August 19, 2021, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m., at Surprise Funeral Care located at 16063 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ.
Funeral services were conducted on Friday, August 20, 2021, at 10:30 a.m., at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel located at 14916 North Sarival Avenue, Surprise, AZ. There was a short visitation prior to the funeral services beginning at 9:30 a.m. until 10:20 a.m.
Concluding services were conducted in the Thatcher Cemetery on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home and Surprise Funeral Care.
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