May 7, 1951—June 29, 2009

Linda M. Becker of the Town of Tonawanda, a longtime teacher in the Iroquois Central School District and later at St. Amelia Catholic School in the Town of Tonawanda, died Monday in the Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Cheektowaga, following a long battle with cancer. She was 58.

The former Linda McCarthy was born in the Town of Tonawanda. She was a 1969 graduate of Mount St. Mary Academy on Delaware Avenue in the town and earned her bachelor of science degree in education at Buffalo State College in 1973. She received her master’s from the University at Buffalo in 1977.

Mrs. Becker was employed as an elementary school teacher in the Iroquois Central School District from 1973 to 1985. From 1990 to 2007, she worked as both a substitute and full-time elementary school teacher at St. Amelia Catholic School, where she had most recently taught kindergarten.

She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Phi Delta Kappa, both international honor societies for professional educators. Mrs. Becker also was a member of Therapy Dogs International, a volunteer organization that regulates, tests and registers therapy dogs and the volunteers who accompany them on visits to nursing homes, hospitals and other institutions. Accompanying Mrs. Becker on such visits was her golden retriever, Jenny.

She was a former member of the St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute Parents Guild and a volunteer with St. Amelia Boy Scout Troop 202.

Mrs. Becker is survived by her husband of 28 years, Fred G.; a son, Kevin H.; her mother, Mary McCarthy Hale; and two brothers, William J. McCarthy III and Scott F. McCarthy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 9 a. m. Friday in St. Amelia Catholic Church, 2999 Eggert Road, Town of Tonawanda.