Rebecca Jean Haymond of Perry

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Rebecca Jean Haymond, 69, of Perry and formerly of Winterset died Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, at the Perry Lutheran Homes in Perry, Iowa.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 22 from 9-10 a.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home Winterset Chapel at 1823 N. John Wayne Dr. in Winterset. Funeral services will begin at 10 a.m Saturday, Aug. 22 at the funeral home. Burial will take place in the McDonald Chase Cemetery.

Due to CDC recommendations, please follow social distancing guidelines. Masks are strongly recommended but are not required. If you are unable to attend the service in person, a live stream will be available at www.caldwellparrish.com on Becky’s tribute wall.

Becky was born Nov. 7, 1950, in Winterset, Iowa, to Merle and Kathryn Haymond.

Becky graduated from Orient Macksburg High School in 1969. She went on to study at the University of Northern Iowa, where she earned a degree in teaching.

Her first job was teaching ninth grade and supervising the girl’s dorm in Stanzel, Iowa. She then went on to become a preschool teacher at the Methodist Church in Winterset.

Becky moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in 1987 to become a nanny. In 1988 she began working for the preschool at Harvard University and was a teacher there for 27 years.

Even though she didn’t have children of her own, she touched the lives of so many and could remember each and everyone.

In September 2015, Becky left Harvard and then worked for the Soldiers Field Park Children’s Center from 2016 until April 2019, when she officially retired.

During the beginning of 2019, Becky started having some health issues, and she was diagnosed with ALS, the same ugly disease her father had succumbed to. She moved back to Iowa to be closer to her family in the fall.

She moved into the Perry Lutheran Homes, and they made the last part of her life the best that it could be. St. Croix Hospice was a God-sent resource, and her nurse and aide became her best friends, whom she came to love very much.

On the morning of Aug. 18, Becky watched her last episode of “The Price is Right,” and her spirit left, passing on with dignity to a place where she is free.

She is joined in heaven by her parents and many other family members and friends.

Left to cherish her memory are her brothers, David (Debra) Haymond of Winterset, Dan Haymond of Perry and Brian (Carla) Haymond of Winfield; nieces, Mitzi (Kelly) Berkland of Winterset, Elisa (David) Steil of Perry and Emily Haymond of Perry; nephew, Brennan Haymond of Des Moines; great-nieces, Abygale, Evelynn and Esabella; and great-nephews, Tristyn, Edwyrd, Mythias and Charlie.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that children’s books and toys be donated in memory of Becky’s love for teaching children. The family plans to donate these items to local daycare centers.

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