Rebecca Josephine Swain “Becky” Leggett, 88, of Boalsburg, died Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at home.
Born June 24, 1936, in Washington, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Duard Stockran Swain, Sr. and Annie May Newberry Swain. Becky lived her early years in Acre Station, a Country Crossroads Community in North Carolina, where her father ran a general store.
She was a 1954 graduate of Washington High School, North Carolina, before going on to receive a bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. On December 22, 1956, she married Ashley Gray Leggett. They lived in Savannah Georgia from 1957 until 1959 while Ashley was stationed there in the Air Force. While there, Becky taught junior high school for a year. When Ashley was stationed in Crete, Greece from 1959 to 1961, Becky directed the Air Force Little Theatre. In 1961, they moved to State College. She was employed by Schlow Library from 1962 to 1970 and continued to volunteer there until 1978. She also volunteered at Birthright. Becky then went on to receive a masters degree in Classics from Penn State University in 1976. In 1977, Becky and Ashley adopted five children who were biological sisters: Desiree, Denise, Rhonda, Janet, and Geraldine.
On St. Patrick’s Day in 1978, Becky and Ashley were received in the Catholic Church. In 1988, they became Oblates of St Benedict, affiliated with St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe.
Becky and her husband always felt close ties with their hometown and the Pamlico River. For 21 years, they owned a home on the river, where waves of grandchildren would visit in the summertime.
Becky is survived by her daughter, Desiree Evans of Spring Mills, Pennsylvania; sixteen grandchildren; four step-grandsons; one foster grand-daughter and numerous great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents and husband, Ashley, she was preceded in death by four daughters, Denise Ishler, Rhonda Butler, Janet Butler, and Geraldine Butler; 1 granddaughter: Kendra Hockenberry, her brother: D.S. Swain, Jr., and sister: June Linawearer.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., Monday, July 15, 2024 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College.
Funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m., at the church, with Father George Jakopac officiating.
Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Spring Mills.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly, Parkway, State College, PA 16801, St. Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Rd, Latrobe, PA 15650, or Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 3503 Penns Valley Rd, Spring Mills, PA 16875.
Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.