Obituary of Rebecca Diane McNeely

Rebecca Diane McNeely, or Becky as she was known to friends and family, passed peacefully from this life on October third, 2023, at 82 years of age.

    She was born on September sixth, 1941 to Harry Nelson Roop Jr.  And Adrienne Lee (Crosby) Roop in Albuquerque NM, the third of four children. 

    Becky grew up and spent most of her life in Albuquerque, attending Stronghurst Elementary, Garfield Jr. High, and Valley High School. It was at Valley that she met her future husband, Meldrum (Mel), where they were said to be inseparable, usually seen in the hallways between classes walking hand-in-hand. 

    Becky and Mel married in Albuquerque on July third, 1958, and she then went on to graduate from Valley in 1959. Together they raised a son Marc, and daughter Deborah. 

    Becky had many, many talents, interests  and  hobbies over her lifetime. She was a master craftswoman who loved knitting and  crochet, weaving, sewing, and making clothes for herself and the family. She designed and made 

costumes, jewelry, all sorts of arts and crafts, refurbished furniture and loved to decorate her home and decorate for all holidays. She enjoyed fashion, too - always stylishly outfitted and perfectly accessorized. 

    Becky also enjoyed gardening, growing indoor plants, and was an excellent cook, baker, and candy maker. She loved music, dancing and singing, often accompanying Mel while he sang and played his guitar at family outings, camping trips, parties and gatherings.

    She loved her pets and all animals, with a particular affinity for owls and especially frogs, of which she amassed a huge collection of figurines and frog related items. She was a passionate supporter of many animal and wildlife organizations and charities, and has no doubt been reunited with the many cats and dogs she had throughout her life.

    Becky was very health conscious, into excercise, healthy diet and nutrition, and her knowledge of beneficial herbs and supplements was  astounding. She practiced yoga for most of her life, and was an instructor in both yoga and  acrobatics in her earlier years.

    As a mother, she always supported her children, whether it was teaching them at home, helping with their schooling and homework, planning and throwing birthday parties, or, along with Mel,  attending the many different sporting events and games, drama performances, band recitals or whatever else they were involved in including acting as Cub Scout den mother for her son, and involvement in the Brownie Girl Scout organization for her daughter.

    She supported her children's schools, working at various times as a school librarian, helped to develop kindergarten and preschool programs, and was not only an avid booster for all of the schools they attended, but was also very active in the Valley High School  Alumni Association. She was also "mom" to many of her children's friends.

    As a wife Becky supported her husband throughout all of his schooling and career, moving the family with him whenever his vocation as a pipefitter took him out of state or out of country.

    When Mel had his own plumbing and  heating business, Becky was his partner in the enterprise, scheduling appointments and jobs, and handled the financial and accounting end of the business. 

     She also was an enthusiastic supporter of his handball playing, attending his tournament matches locally and around the country and travelled with him to Ireland for the world handball championship and his matches  there. 

    Becky and Mel loved to travel, and took vacations to Hawaii, and numerous road trips around the US and Canada in their motor home. Their union lasted for 59 and a half years until Mel's passing in December of 2017.

    Becky was a very successful businesswoman in her own right, as an Avon sales representative for over 40 years. She won numerous sales awards, earning many incentives and bonuses as one of the company's top performers.

    Becky was best known and loved though, for her lively spirit, vivacious joy of life, compassion, caring, thoughtfulness, and generosity. She never forgot birthdays or Christmas greetings, sending cards and often presents religiously to her family and circle of friends. She was lavish to all with her gift giving and in her celebration of life events.

    She will not only be missed by all whose lives she touched, but leaves a void in the world that will never be filled.

    Becky was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Adrienne, brother Nelson, great granddaughter Angelica, and husband Mel. She is survived by sisters Anne and Marion, son Marc and wife Ann Marie, daughter Deborah, grandchildren Matthew and wife Alicia, Christina and husband David, Michael and wife Katie, honorary grandson Andrew, great grandchildren Jared, Soren, Madeline, and Margaret, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

    Her family and friends will celebrate a memorial of her life on Saturday, November fourth, at 10:00 AM, in the Sandia Mountain Masonic Lodge #72 -  a lavender colored barracks style building located behind the New Mexico Grand  Lodge and Museum at 1638 University Blvd. NE. There will be a potluck meal afterwards, and attendees are welcome to bring a dish of their choice.

    In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Becky's name to the Animal Humane Association of  NM, or the World Wildlife Fund.