Bench becomes memorial at Eader

A bench near Eader Elementary School was dedicated Tuesday night to

an Eader student’s mother who died of breast cancer in March.

Alice Lee Becker died in March at the age of 38 after a two-year

battle, said Donna Becker, Alice’s mother.

More than $1,200 for the bench was raised by mothers Alice Becker

befriended while watching her children play in the park, Donna Becker

recalled.

“That’s how they got to know each other so well,” Donna Becker

said.

The concrete bench sits alongside the park’s playground. A plaque

bearing her name and the names of her three children, Brandon, Monica

and Shannon, is installed on the front of the bench. Monica Becker is

a student at Eader and will start third grade in September. Brandon

Becker will enter eighth grade at Sowers Middle School, and Shannon

Becker is 2 years old.

One of the mothers who spearheaded the fundraising effort, Karen

Dorman, remembered Alice Becker as playing an active role in

education.

“Alice was a big member of the community,” Dorman said. “She was

involved in everything with her children at school and

extracurriculars.”

About 100 people attended the evening ceremony, Dorman said.