Rebecca ‘Becky’ Ann (Gardner) Richards

Rebecca “Becky” Ann (Gardner) Richards, age 81, passed away on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 at her home in Mechanicsburg, Pa., surrounded by loving family members after an extended battle with lymphoma.

Becky was born on April 25, 1942 in Greencastle to the late Jerome Clifford Gardner and Gracie M. (Miller) Gardner.

Becky’s survivors include her husband of 61 years, John S. “Steve” Richards; two sons, Kurt Richards and his significant other, Gloria Hudson, of Enola, Pa., and Kevin Richards of Mechanicsburg and a daughter, Kim (Rolland) Vickrey of Greencastle; and her six granddaughters, Brittaney Richards of Mechanicsburg, Danielle Richards of Mechanicsburg, Nina Richards of Greenwood, Emma Richards of Decator, Kourtnee (Jenna) Jones of Indianapolis and Kayla Vickrey of Greencastle.

Becky graduated from Greencastle High School in 1960 and in 1962 married her husband, Steve, living in Jacksonville, Fla., supporting his military duty with the U.S. Navy. In 1966 after military service, Becky and Steve returned to Greencastle to raise their family. In 1987 the family moved with IBM to Mechanicsburg, where she resided the next 36 years.

An avid reader, Becky also enjoyed the outdoors, spending countless hours working in her flowers and feeding her many feathered friends. She was a loving, devoted and amazing mother to her children and grandchildren. She was best known for her role as “Nana” by her six granddaughters and spent countless hours nurturing each one to be kind to others and to be the best they could be.

Rest in peace Nana, your girls will carry your steadfast love from here.

All are welcome to join Becky’s family at her gathering of family and friends on Saturday, April 6 from 9:15 a.m. until the time of service beginning at 10 a.m. at Bittles & Hurt Funeral Home, 602 E. Washington St., Greencastle, IN 46135. Interment will follow the service in Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle. Becky’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at The Inn at DePauw, 2 W. Seminary St., Greencastle, following the interment. Cremation was private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Putnam County Public Library in care of the Putnam County Community Foundation, 2 S. Jackson St., Greencastle, IN 46135.