Rebecca Spragg

People who knew Rebecca “Becki” Spragg were blessed – by her unconditional love and her generosity of spirit. She was a vivacious woman who through her love, caring and hard work, provided a strong and benevolent foundation for her family.

With the end of World War II, American industry expanded to meet peacetime needs. Americans began buying goods not available during the war, which created corporate expansion and jobs. There was growth everywhere though, including families; the Baby Boom was underway. Herbert and Joyce (Buchholz) Halliday of Elyria, Ohio were having a baby boom of their own. On August 29, 1952, the couple delighted in welcoming the birth of a healthy baby girl, a precious daughter they named Rebecca.

Along with her three brothers, David, Douglas and Donald, Becki was born and raised in Elyria, where her father earned a living as a postman while her mother cared for their family. Like many young girls, Becki enjoyed being active in the Girl Scouts and at the local YMCA, where she taught swimming lessons. She received her education in the Elyria Public Schools and graduated from Elyria High in 1970. Thereafter, Becki attended the local community college, where she earned an Associates Degree.

In the early 1970s, a wonderful thing happened to Becki – she met the love of her life, Jeff Spragg. The two met while at the YMCA camp in Estes Park, Colorado one summer, and they soon fell hopelessly in love. The sweethearts were happily married in Becki’s hometown of Elyria on February 2, 1974. At this time, Jeff was starting a career as a teacher, and soon after marrying, he took a teaching position in his hometown of Howell, Michigan. The newlyweds settled into married life here for some time before Jeff accepted another teaching job in Bloomingdale. He made one more career move to Centerville Public Schools, which brought the couple to their longtime residence in Portage.

It was during this time that Becki and Jeff welcomed the birth of their only child, son Christopher, in 1981. Becki loved being a mother, and was always very involved in her son’s schooling and other activities. Although she worked outside the home, she never let that stop her from taking part in school field trips, helping along with class parties and being a “Hockey Mom”; waking up early on weekends to take Chris to the ice arena. During the 80s and 90s, Becki and Jeff also found the time to be “Hockey Parents” by opening their hearts and home to Canadian hockey players attending Western Michigan University. The boys were included in their holiday festivities and treated as part of the family. But that was Becki’s nature, to be a warm, loving caregiver to anyone who needed her. In turn, Becki, Jeff and Chris took many trips to Canada to visit the families of the players who they had invited into their home.

Besides being a dedicated wife and mother, Becki worked a variety of jobs, including at the YMCA on Maple Street and So-Fro Fabrics. She eventually joined the team at JCPenney, where she worked her way up from fabrics, juniors and floor supervisor to the Fine Jewelry Manager in 1995. Becki was a loyal “JCP-Lifer” for 31 years.

When it came to family time, Becki, Jeff and Chris enjoyed going camping, especially at Maumee Bay in Toledo, Ohio, Fort Custer in Augusta and in northern Michigan. Becki was all about keeping active, and was a big swimmer and biker too. In her quieter moments, she kept her hands busy knitting something special or her mind active reading a good book by her favorite authors, Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele. With Jeff being an educator, Becki enjoyed the role of a Senior Exit Interviewer, which helped students prepare for their careers after High School. For many years, the couple also had two dogs, Chip and Sis, who were sure to keep them busy. Funny though, Chip was Becki’s dog and he wouldn’t do anything Jeff said, and Sis was the opposite, she wouldn’t do anything Becki said – she only obeyed Jeff. Currently, Becki was happy to snuggle up with her cat, KC. Besides sharing a tremendous love for each other, Becki and Jeff had a strong faith in God. Early in their faith, they attended Zion Lutheran Church, but eventually found their Christian family within St. Michael Lutheran Church. Becki and Jeff both enjoyed and shared a strong relationship with the Ministry and activities of Martin Luther Chapel at Michigan State University.

About eighteen months ago, Becki’s health began to fail, which led her to be in and out of the hospital. Sadly, she died at the University of Michigan Medical Center on Saturday, January 5, 2008, at the age of 55. Becki touched many lives and made a deep impression on all who met her. We all are blessed to have known her and she cared about everyone she came into contact with. Sitting in heaven’s garden, watching over the family and friends she loved dearly, Becki will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 15, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Lutheran Church, 7211 Oakland Drive, Portage. Rebecca was preceded in death by her father, Herbert Halliday. Members of Becki’s family include her husband, Jeff; her son, Chris of Portage; her mother, Joyce Halliday of Ohio; her brothers: David & Michelle Halliday of New Mexico, Douglas & Maryann Halliday of Ohio, Donald & Patti Halliday of Ohio; nieces and nephews Eric, Jeremy, Gretchen, Ethan, Kristen and Nick; and special friends, Ray & Sally Gillo, and their daughters, Evan & Jordan. Please visit Rebecca’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory or photo with her family or sign her online guest book. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Michael Lutheran Church.