Rebecca Marie Irwin (nee Sauerwein) was born in Edinburg, Illinois June 23, 1915, the eldest of five children. She attended Wheaton College where she trained as a teacher. Her true calling was to travel to India (Banswara in Rajastan Province) as a missionary in 1940.There she met a United Church Minister, Hugh Irwin, from Nova Scotia who captured her heart and they married in 1941. Their three daughters, Ann, Ruth and Maureen, were born in India. In 1953 they returned to Canada. While living in Burnaby, the organization United Church Women (UCW) was initiated on March 2, 1962. Becky was elected as one of the three Vice-Presidents of the then BC Conference UCW. Later she served as President from 1965-1966. Becky traveled by boat, train, and car throughout the remote Presbyterials to encourage women to see the benefits of uniting the Women’s Missionary Service with the Women’s Association into one organization, the UCW. Becky was a mentor to many. She was a trusted elder who guided with wisdom and confidence. Becky passed away on June 14, 2020, nine days short of her 105th birthday. Rebecca was a member of the Peninsula United Church in Surrey, BC.
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore”
(Psalm 121:8)
