Funeral services for Rebecca S. Deopere, 77, of Yuma, Arizona, formerly of Rock Island, IL, will be 11:00 A.M.  on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 at the Van Hoe Funeral Home in East Moline, Illinois, with a time of visitation one hour prior to services from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday. Funeral services will be live-streamed and may be viewed at https://vimeo.com/1012170470/2640ffef9c at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 24th.The service will be comprised of prayers and a musical montage of photos from Becky's happier times.  Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, East Moline. Mrs. Deopere passed away, at her home in Yuma, Arizona.

Rebecca Sue Margrave was born January 8, 1947, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the daughter of James and Cleo Margrave. She has two brothers, William Margrave in Little Rock, Arkansas and Robert Margrave in Virginia.

She married David Deopere December 27, 1972, at Christ United Methodist Church, East Moline, a marriage of nearly 52 years.  Becky, who was an Elementary School Teacher, met Dave at a Red Cross party at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. in 1971. After enjoying five years together in the D.C. Area, the couple moved to Illinois and had two children, Scott and Beth.

Becky retired from Rock Island School District in August, 2007.

Becky enjoyed watching Scott and Beth play multiple sports and other activities as they grew up.  She loved the many family camping trips over the years in the tent, fold down camper and RV.  She also loved going to beautiful resorts across the continental United States, Mexico, Hawaii and the Caribbean. She was especially happy when Dave surprised her on their 25th Wedding Anniversary with a Caribbean cruise.

Becky always seemed to have a smile on her face and a kind word for anyone she met.  She never had a negative thing to say about anyone or anything.  People at the hospital used to ask Dave about Becky: "Is she really that nice?"  And he would always respond, "Yes, she really is that nice and kind."

Tragically, Becky was diagnosed in 2007 with Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia.  The insidious disease ultimately robbed her of being able to walk, talk or communicate in any fashion.  Despite her illness, she always remained kind and cooperative with everyone around her.  She had tremendous love for her children, Scott and Beth.  Unfortunately, because of her illness, she was never able to fully enjoy her grandchildren.

Reflective of her lifelong optimism, the last lucid thing she ever said to Dave, upon seeing him teary-eyed about her illness, was, "Don't worry, David, everything will be okay."

Survivors include her husband, David in Yuma, son, Scott (Tiffiney) Deopere, Bardstown, Kentucky and daughter, Beth (German) Rossell, Yuma, Arizona; grandchildren, Matti, Will & Catherine, Bardstown, Kentucky; and Luca and Brayden, Yuma, Arizona; brothers, William (Drew) Margrave, Little Rock, Arkansas and Robert Margrave, Virginia.

She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorials may be made to the Robert Young Center.  Sincerest and profound thanks are given for the loving kindness and outstanding care provided by Becky's primary caretakers in Yuma, Arizona: Milly Morales & Stephanie Garcia. Thanks also to Andrea, Jamie, Sylia and Ezzy.  Heartfelt thanks are also offered to Southwest Palliative Care & Hospice in Yuma.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com