Lyn D. Becknell

Lyn Becknell, 78, of Rockford, IL died April 28, 2024, at home, surrounded by her children and friends.

Lyn was born December 24, 1945, in Charleston, SC to E. Kenneth and Marguerite C. Drawdy.  She graduated with honors from Waggoner High School in Louisville, KY and the Jefferson School of Commerce in Salisbury, MD. She also attended the University of Kentucky, University of Kansas and Rock Valley College in Rockford.

Lyn and her daughter, Shelley, moved from Topeka, KS to Rockford in 1974, where she met the love of her life, Roger K. Becknell. They married June 9, 1978, and built a life for their new family, with Roger adopting Shelley and bringing with him his son, Brock. Together, Lyn and Roger started Abbott Plastics, where she managed the company’s accounting and bookkeeping for many years before retiring.

The Becknells made it a priority to share their success with the community and were passionate about supporting the Rockford arts and various philanthropies. Lyn served as a volunteer and board member of the Rockford Area Literacy Council (helping to pioneer the hugely successful event ‘100 Men Who Cook’), the former New American Theatre, The Arc (as a steering committee member of Chocoholic Frolic), the Children’s Home and Aid Society and Artists’ Ensemble Theater.  She was an enthusiastic and active member of the Lathrop Department of Rockford Women’s Club for over 30 years and an active member of Grace United Methodist Church.

Lyn cherished her friends and surrounded herself with beauty and shared her lovely home as a perfect and gracious host of lunches, dinners and their annual holiday party. Lyn and Roger regularly enjoyed the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and traveled all over the world, especially enjoying cruises. She was an avid reader and participated in two monthly book clubs.

Lyn is survived by her daughter, Shelley Lyn Becknell of Seattle, WA, son Brock A. Becknell, his wife, Chris, two grandchildren, Eric (Andrea) Graf and Teà Graf, and several great-grandchildren, all of Wisconsin, as well as a large group of loving, long-time friends, and her two beloved cats, Luna and Misha. She is also survived by her sister, Laura Mallernee and niece, Ellen Mallernee of Nashville, Tennessee. Lyn was predeceased by her husband, Roger, and her parents.

A memorial service for Lyn will be held Tuesday, May 14, 2024, 2 pm at Grace United Methodist Church, 3555 McFarland Road, Rockford, IL 61114.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Grace United Methodist Church graceumcrockford.org/giving or Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, noahsarkanimals.org/ 111 N. 1^st Street, Rockford, IL 61107 or to a charity of your choice.