Patricia A. (Becker) Maffucci

Patricia A. (Becker) Maffucci, 89, of Topeka, passed away at McCrite Plaza on Sunday, May 24, 2020 of cancer. She was born at home on October 27, 1930 in Valencia, KS; the daughter of Lucille (Nyman) Becker and George Fuller. Pat was the fourth of five children born to Lucille and Herbert Becker.

She spent her early life surrounded by doting grandparents John & Nellie Becker and Selma Nyman in Topeka. Her mother married George Fuller and the family briefly lived in western Pennsylvania; where her two older brothers, Bill and Don, would load up their two little sisters on sleds to go to school. They pulled the girls up one snowy hillside after another, with all four sliding down the other side! After another move back to Topeka, the family drove to Seattle, WA, pulling their worldly belongings on a trailer behind. There, to the family, was added two more brothers: Jerry and Michael. Because it was the time of the Great Depression and WWII, the children always helped out at home and worked. Pat picked fruit and vegetables at a farm in the shadow of Mt. Rainier. Any spare time they had - Pat, her sister Betty and brother Jack used to thumb for rides to go to the Beach! When the family moved to Eddy Street in Beacon Hill before her sophomore year, she had to leave her friends and transferred to Cleveland High. However, she talked her Dad into letting her ride back and forth to work with him, so she could go back to her old high school for her junior and senior years. She graduated from Garfield High School in 1948. Pat had taken business classes, so she became a legal secretary for an attorney firm in Smith Tower in downtown Seattle.

In 1950, she moved back to Topeka and lived for a time with her Gram Becker. The aunts and uncles were a constant presence. Pat continued working as a legal secretary. She met and worked with her best friend Dorothy, who had two small children. They spent most of their time together and with each other's extended families. Pat and Dorothy became sister-in-law's after Pat introduced Dorothy to her older brother Bill.

In 1959, she married Vincent Maffucci in Redding, CA. They operated a Baskin Robbins Ice Cream shop. Pat used to say she could arm wrestle the best with the muscles she developed scooping ice cream! She was divorced in 1970 and after a couple of years, moved back to the Topeka area again; where she stayed the remainder of her life.

Pat loved family and spent much time with her parents and the families of her brothers and sister. Even when she didn't live near them, she visited often or vacations were arranged together. Pat was a league bowler until she was 82. Her sister bowled as well and they would take trips around the U.S. to do so. Her older brothers and uncles liked to fish and hunt and Pat enjoyed fall vacations in Colorado with many extended family members. They all stayed together in a rented, primitive line shack cabin; which was constantly upgraded by the Becker clan! She finally killed a deer in 1979; both her and Dorothy agreeing they probably never saw much to shoot at because they talked too much! Pat was a beloved Aunt to her nieces and nephews. She loved them unconditionally! But was never afraid to tell them when she didn't like them much; giving all the benefit of her concise wisdom!

Pat continued working as a legal secretary when she moved back to Topeka. When the Kansas Court of Appeals was formed in 1977, Pat was chosen as Secretary to Judge John E. Rees and served him until his retirement. She was then chosen by Judge Bob Abbott to replace her retiring sister-in-law. Both judges said they had the benefit of having the best secretaries in all of Kansas! Judge Abbott later moved to the Kansas Supreme Court, where Pat finished her career in the fall of 1995.

Late in life, macular degeneration did not stop Pat from pursuing her life-long love of reading. She simply switched to audio books and frustrated her library helpers who tried to find something for her that she hadn't already read! She spent the last several years happily ensconced in an Independent Living Apartment.

As a young teenager, Patty accepted Christ as her Savior. She sought comfort, solace and peace from Him in her last weeks.

Pat leaves many loving family members. Three brothers: Jack Becker, Gig Harbor, WA; Jerry (Anna) Fuller, Livermore, CA; Mike (Donna) Fuller, Bellingham, WA. Five first cousins: Jim (Judy) Nyman, Topeka, KS; Liz Owen, Englewood, CO; Janet (Bob) Hawks, Tulsa, OK; Joanna (Alan) Gorthy, Overland Park, KS; John (Barb) Shipley, Steamboat Springs, CO. Numerous nieces and nephews in Washington and California and including (locally) Patty (Lee), Megan (Greg) and Kurt McQueen
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No memorial services are planned due to Covid-19. Private inurnment at Mount Hope Cemetery. Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Avenue in Topeka, is assisting the family.

To honor Pat, Memorial contributions may be made to the donor's charity of choice.

A special Memorial booklet will be prepared by the family; they please request remembrances be mailed to Dove Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave., Topeka, KS 66605 or simply leave a special message by selecting the Share Memories option listed above.