Rebecca Jean Pequeno

Rebecca Jean Pequeno, known to all who loved her as Becky, left this world on January 10, 2025. Born in Amarillo, Texas on May 14, 1956, to Shirley and Travis Underwood, Becky’s life was nothing short of an adventure. As a child, she traveled across states and seas, gathering stories and experiences like treasures. That adventurous spirit never truly left her, though it shifted course when she became a mother.

In 1975, Becky gave birth to her first daughter, Elaine, and from that moment on, every day became an adventure — no matter how small — as she filled her children’s lives with wonder. In 1979, her son, Mark, was born. The bond of mother and son was deep, until leukemia cruelly took him from her when he was only three and a half years old. Despite the loss of her precious boy, she never stopped living with love and dedication, finding strength in every moment she had with him.

In 1983, Becky welcomed her final child, another daughter, Kristy, and once again, life’s pace picked up with the energy and joy she poured into her family. Becky never knew a day without hard work and purpose, balancing motherhood with a career in retail management. She led with a quiet grace, earning the affection of everyone she worked with and forming friendships wherever she went. Customers weren’t just shoppers to Becky; they were companions on her journey.

Becky found solace in simplicity — a clean house, the quiet growth of her garden, painting old decor to make something new, and the steady rhythm of a word search puzzle. She was always ready for a hot cup of coffee or a cold Dr. Pepper, and without fail, she’d sing along to Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, or Aerosmith, no matter the time of day. She was an eternal optimist, her unshakable faith that the Dallas Cowboys would “get ‘em next time” never wavered, even after every loss.

Becky was also gifted in the kitchen. Thanks to her mother-in-law, she learned to make enchiladas, mole, and Spanish rice — recipes she worked hard to pass on to her daughters. And while they both didn’t get her skills, her love for her family is always served with every plate.

As a grandmother, her grandchildren — each one unique and perfect in her eyes — were the light of her life. She cherished the blessing of watching them grow, and though she has now left this world, her love will echo through their hearts forever. She is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Elaina and Asher Santos, who will carry her memory with them through the stories they hear, as will all who were lucky enough to know her.

Though life gave Becky many trials, from the loss of loved ones to the weight of the world, she remained steadfast in her hope for better days. She is preceded in death by her parents, Shirley Talley and Travis Underwood, her brother Kenton Underwood, her son Mark Anthony Pequeno, and her great-granddaughter, Maya Santos.

Becky didn’t leave behind riches or possessions, but she gave us something far more valuable — an unyielding resolve, a heart full of love, and a will that could not be broken. Her determination, her joy in the everyday, and her love of life will live on in her family, and as long as we breathe, we will carry her gifts with us always.

We will miss you, Mom. We’ll get ‘em next time.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Rebecca Jean Pequeno, please visit our Tribute Store.