Date Of Birth: October 3, 1973
Date Of Death: February 7, 2011
Laura Aileen Gridley Becktel, 37
Laura Becktel, 37, of Indianapolis and formerly of Rushville passed away Monday, Feb. 7, at her home.
Laura was born Oct. 3, 1973, in Rushville to John and Jeanmarie (Benedict) Gridley, who survive. Laura married James D. Becktel in 2003; they have two children, Tess Elizabeth, 6, and Nolan Ash, 3, who survive. Laura also leaves behind sister Anna Gridley and niece Addyson Lanane of Rushville; stepsisters Kelly, Jill and Tracy Blom of Cincinnati; stepsister Nicole (Graves) Martin; stepbrother Jason Graves; and stepfather Ron Graves of Connersville. Stepmother Debbie Gridley preceded her in death in 2010.
Laura was a 1992 graduate of Rushville Consolidated High School and a 1997 graduate of Ball State University.
Laura worked as a web developer at Telamon in Carmel. She was an extremely caring mother, thoughtful, creative, inspiring and artistic.
Friends may call from 1 to 4 PM Sunday at Harry W. Moore Funeral Home, 8151 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, IN 46250, with a memorial service to follow at 4 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please make any donations to the Pheo Para Troopers, of which Laura was a founding member, at www.pheoparatroopers.org.
Alissa Moore says
I’ve thought and thought of the perfect song to sum up the way I feel about you Laura. I keep going back to “Time of Your Life” by Green Day. There are so many songs that make me think of you and things we’ve done, but this is how I feel about you today. Your spirit will live on in all of us. Be at peace knowing YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE in the world. Many talk about doing it, but you have and will continue to for years to come. I love you Laura.
Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.
Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.
So make the best of this test
and don’t ask why.
It’s not a question
but a lesson learned in time.
It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.
Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.
Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.
For what it’s worth,
it was worth all the while.
It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.
Jackie Thompson says
James and family, so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God bless all of you.
Virginia Gross Dhondt says
I remember Laura throughout our many years of school as a sweet, quiet and funny girl. You will be missed Laura. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jan Mathews says
Dear James and family:
Laura was such a courageous woman. She was a joy to work with and I count it a privilege to have known her. I’m so sorry for your loss. May God’s comfort sustain you through this time of grief.
Claudia Weidman says
My deepest sympathies for your loss
Claudia Weidman (Your Cousin Benjamin Silliman’s Mom)
Robert Smith says
With a heavy heart, all the prayers and sympathy from my family to yours.
Rob
Nick Ernstes says
I graduated from Rushville in 1992 with Laura. Laura was a very kind and caring classmate. She was always polite and very smart ! As much of us do we loose touch after high school. I am so sorry to hear the news of her passing and my family’s thoughts and prayers will be with your family.
My Condolences: Nick Ernstes
Joshua Moore says
Laura, you will sadly be missed by everyone’s life you touched and that was many..I’m sure there are so many great memories floating around amongst all your friends and family… my deepest condolences go out to the family..i will keep everyone in my thoughts and prayers..
Jim Ludington says
So sorry and so shocked to hear the news. I know she will be missed, but she’s in a better place. No worries, no pain, and she’s on the right hand of God. She was always easy to get along with, which runs in the family. John, Jean, Anna and remaining family, you are in my prayers and if there’s anything I can do, please let me know.
Marlene Bill Hensler Greenfield IN formerly of Rushville IN says
John, Anna, and family ~~ We are so sorry to learn of Laura’s passing. We extend our heartfelt sadness and send our sincere condolences. Signed, Bill & Marlene Hensler
Misty Meredith Armstrong says
I graduated in 1992 with Laura,,, she was truly an amazing person, always smiling,, and a friend to all,, she will be greatly missed as she was truly an angel here on earth,,,,
Jean Rostron says
Laura, I didn’t know you personally, but through Technology, I have read about your battles!
Rest well, & my sympathy goes to her family, especially to the sweet children she has left.
God bless you all.
Jean from United Kingdom, a fellow pheo lady.
Megan Romero says
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. Tess and my daughter, Sophia, are in the same class. Sophia thinks very highly of Tess.
I am so very sorry for your loss…
Shelle Hendrix says
My condolences to the family. How very sad – you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sunny Lu Williams says
Laura, I am so sad to hear of your passing. You were my guide and translator in my early call center years and you have been a constant support. I will miss you dearly Bazbeaux lunch buddy.
Sharon Gee says
Laura will truely be missed, May God bless and keep her family at this time of need.
Fred AnnaKaren Pennington says
John and family you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Chris Chase says
Laura was an amazing friend and I feel honored to have even known her. I love you Laura and will miss you always! Words can’t express how sorry I am for James, Tess, and Nolan. My thoughts and prayers are with them and the entire family and all of her friends.
Brian Kazmucha says
I only met Laura a couple times at Telamon, but she was a very kind and inspirng person. She definitely felt like a person who touched many people and someone everyone enjoyed being around. I am sorry for your loss and believe she is at peace and no more pain; as she is able to sing and laugh in heaven. God Bless you and the family.
Patti O says
Laura and I worked together at Telamon many years ago. She was always so helpful and committed to doing everything with excellence. She was a pleasure to know and a wonderful teammate. She will be missed.
Heidi Watson says
Laura’s cubicle was right next to mine at Telamon. I started working at Telamon since November 2009 and we became friends.
Laura shared some of her joys of raising her children with me while working part-time and dealing with her cancer treatments. She has been an inspiration to me as she bravely coped with her daily pains of cancer treatments while meeting her responsibility as a Mom, a Wife, as well as a professional worker at Telamon. She did her best by keeping a positive spirit.
In April, she shared with me that she needed to quit her job and spent more quality time with her family.
I will continue to keep your whole family in our prayer list at Whitestown UMC and we will pray for you for strength, healing, and comfort for dealing with your loss of Laura.
May God bless you always and may your beautiful memories of Laura sustain you in your loss and the days to come.
Heidi Lin Watson
Andrea Eskew says
Dear John and Family, I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am. I remember Laura as a very beautiful and sweet little girl, playing at Jim & Virginia’s house next door to Mom & Dad. How fast the time has passed. You will all be remembered in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Andrea Ekew
dave karen garau says
dear john & family we just want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Laura Owens says
I never know what to say in times like this because words just don’t seem adequate. Laura was an amazing woman who fought a long, difficult battle with an awful disease while still being a great mom, wife, friend, and even working through most of her battle. She has inspired so many people and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Sending love to James, Tess, Nolan, her parents, and the rest of her family and friends.
Christin Nicholls and Susie Odum says
We were so sorry to hear about Laura. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She will be missed.
Wendy Gossett Hall says
I’m very sorry for your loss. I graduated with Laura and lived 3 doors down from her in high school. I will always remember her with a smile.
Jon and Louise Gray says
With deepest sympathy to you all. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Anna Bloomquist Reynolds says
Laura was a dear childhood friend. Whenever I think of her, I always remember her contagious laugh. I am profoundly saddened by this loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She will never be forgotten.
Rebecca Rea Schutt says
My heart goes out to Laura’s family and friends. I went to jr. high and high school with Laura. She was so kind and sweet. I’m glad that I got a chance to reconnect and talk to her on Facebook. She touched my life and my heart. She will be greatly missed. May the Lord bring you comfort and strength.
Mark W Sloan says
Grid, I was so sorry to hear of yet another loss for you. You and your family, are certainly in my thoughts, and prayers.
karen spaeth says
To Laura’s family…my heart breaks for you as you walk through your loss. I didn’t know Laura, but learned about her and her battle with cancer through her dad. She sounds like a strong young woman and very loving mother,sister,wife,daughter,friend. Her pictures are just beautiful, and her smile ,well, I hope that you will all carry the memory of that beautiful smile with you all your days. When the sadness seems overwhelming, I encourage you to go to your memories of your time with her, and let them carry you through. To John and Jean, as a parent who also lost a daughter;there are no words of comfort, because your loss is just too great; but please know that there are many people out there praying for you and your family. I’m sure you will all keep her memory alive for her children, so that they know what a special mother they were given. God bless those 2 little ones, and surround them with the love of family to help them as they learn to live their lives without their mother.
Anthony LaRussa says
I am saddened by the news of Laura’s passing. I counted her as a friend. I last chatted with her roughly 6 months ago, or so. Laura was one of the 3 people who interviewed me for my position at Telamon, back in Jan 1999. She was the best of us. Her passing was much too soon. We wish the family well in these difficult times.
TONY
WLAN Svcs, Lilly Campus
Nancy Roller Cooper says
Jeanmarie,sorry to hear about your daughter. Nancy