Rebecca "Becky" Adamson

Rebecca M Dougherty Adamson jumped off our mortal coil to wait at the Rainbow Bridge for her love and her family to soar off to the cosmos with her.  Her vitality was essential; her bright love brought light into the soul of more than one reprobate, including the one who is writing this poor attempt to memorialize her noble soul.

Miss Becky was born in East Liverpool, Ohio.   Her family moved to Detroit, where her father, Mr. Carl McDevitt, served his country well building tanks for the Detroit Tank Arsenal division of Chrysler.  Her mother, the former Grace Heckathorne, worked for department stores and made a wonderful home for Rebecca and her two sisters.

Becky was a great High School honors student; she secured a full scholarship to Eastern Michigan University as a Special Education Teacher.  She met her first husband, William Dougherty, after he returned from Army service in Korea.  They married, and took their futures West to Denver, Colorado.  William worked for the State of Colorado until his death in 1980.   He was honored for his efforts to reform the State of Colorado personnel system.

Rebecca was left to fend for herself and her two children.  Her toughness and profound pragmatism would not let her weaken; she went back to school to learn computer operation and business practice.  She successfully entered the work world as the Librarian for Petroleum Information of Denver.

Becky met her second husband, Ed Adamson, during this time.  Ed was working as an operations manager and purchasing agent for a medical clinic.  Ed was contacted by a friend to assist a woman who was having a tough time finding and buying a car.  Ed advised her about her car.  Two weeks later, to quote the lyricist, ..."I was buying her a washing machine.”. 

Ed and Becky simply became too busy to worry about a formal marriage.   Ed went to the Flathead Valley in Montana with her son Robert to build a home in the woods, summer of 1982.  Robert had done the drafting and design work on the house while still in high school.  The home turned out well.  Becky, Ed, Dennis, Robert, and a zoo of animals moved to the wild woods in a truly wonderful experience.   Ed decided he had better marry the girl before she became distracted.  Ed and Becky married in Durango, Colorado, September 1986.

Job issues forced a return to Colorado after Ed was injured working as a “Hot Shot” during the summer of 1984.  Ed immediately found work as a Facilities Manager, Bank Liquidation Specialist, and IT manager for the FDIC through 1992. Becky and Ed again attempted to have a home in the Montana wilds, but conditions necessitated Ed and Becky return to Denver in 1994, where Ed went to work for FEMA, working in Logistics, Facilities Management, Security, and public assistance on natural disasters in the US and its territories.  Ed left FEMA in 2001 so as to work in Bozeman, Montana as a builder; the designs were all done by Robert and his brother Dennis.  Our company had good success building custom, energy efficient homes.

Becky had numerous health issues from 2003 onward.   Ed made the decision that it was untenable to continue in the custom construction business in Bozeman, as the stress of administering the company and doing the necessary trade craft compromised work product and sanity.  Ed and Becky moved to Baker so as to move away from the demands of a high pressure business, and build a life in this wonderful small town with our son and his family.

Ed secured a great job with our Baker County Public Library District.  Solving construction, Facilities Management, and technical issues with the Library was and is great work.  Ed and Becky had a great four years getting to know Baker City, and finally relaxing to enjoy Dennis and his fine family.

Two decades of health issues vexed Becky from 2003 onward.  Finally, a heart attack and two major brain bleeds drained the life from my wonderful little wife, starting in April 2021.  Her stout spirit would not allow any self-pity.  She took to physical therapy as soon as she was able; she would slowly do all of the routines while whistling songs only she could hear.  It was a great witness to the human spirit, an example to us all to never give up, always look for another way, and love the people around you while you can.  She simply resolved to do everything she could to stay with her family and husband.  She left us peacefully in the morning hours of July 22nd, 2022.  She left with her boys surrounding her in sorrowful fellowship, including this lost fellow who will never forget.  Her legacy for our family is two great hard working men and two wonderful grandsons, and a lifetime of providing her love and support to all who knew her.

My special thanks to so many in our wonderful nexus here in Baker City.  I am sure I would miss a few names, but know that all have my profound appreciation at this sorrowful time.

Contributions can be made in her name to the National Parks Service through Tami’s Pine Valley Funeral Home and Cremation Services, PO Box 543, Halfway, Oregon 97834. Online condolences can be shared at www.tamispinevalleyfuneralhome.com