Rebecca Conner

Rebecca "Becky" Jane (Perrault) Conner, 33, passed away on May 30, 2013, in St. Luke's hospital in Duluth due to complications from a seven-month battle with leukemia.

Becky was born in Duluth to Jim (Dottie) Perrault and Dorie Higgins (Wayne) Gilbert on Aug. 29, 1979. This perfectly beautiful baby with an unmatched smile and dancing eyes immediately asserted the independence and determination "to be me" that would symbolize the remainder of an incredibly full life that ended far too soon.

Quite simply, Becky charted her own life's course - one that others were welcome to join, but one for which she needed absolutely no help designing. Becky brought her parents and family joyous and unending love. She was the glue that kept her siblings in constant contact as they grew, left home and began their separate lives. She was intelligent, funny, friendly and strong. She had boundless energy and a tendency to place others' needs before her own.

Becky married Dave B. Conner II on Nov. 27, 2004. Together they raise three sons whom they dearly love and who, in turn, return that love daily to their excellent parents. She is an outstanding "boy mom" whose greatest joy was cradling her children in her arms from their first days until her last. Her influence on them will continue throughout their lives, since she is adamantly unwilling to allow a simple thing like death interfere with her responsibilities as a mom.

Becky attended St. Michael's School in Duluth and was a graduate of Eagan (Minn.) High School. She was employed as an IT specialist with the national law firm of Foley & Mansfield prior to returning to Duluth in the summer of 2012, when Becky and Dave went to work with Becky's dad at Jim Perrault Construction. She shared the sacrifice of other military families by volunteering her service as Family Readiness Group Coordinator during Dave's first of two combat tours in Iraq. "They also serve, who stand and wait." She loved spending time with family and friends, boating on the St Croix River, spending time at the lake, fishing, playing cards, and a good old party. She was a "Rockstar" .

She is survived by her husband, David B. Conner II; and their sons, David (age 8), Benjamin (age 6) and Tyberius (age 3); parents Jim (Dottie) Perrault and Dorie Higgins (Wayne) Gilbert; sisters Katie (Jeff) Nordquist and Christie (Zack) Hessel; sister Angie (Jim) Fritz; and brothers Peder Gilbert, Bryan (Tracy) Gilbert, Dan (Linsey) Gilbert, Jon (Brooke) Gilbert; and 11 nieces and nephews. Becky also is survived by loving grandparents, Mary Thorene, Elaine Higgins and Jim and Rosemary Perrault; by her uncles, aunts and many cousins; her extended family members; and by many dear friends whose lives she deeply touched. The welcoming committee at her new home was led by grandfathers Jim Higgins, John Thorene and grandparents Edward and Walterine Gilbert and Mary and Hap Finley.

She experienced the treasure of wonderful in-laws, Dave and Rosemary Conner, and sisters-in-law Jennifer (Anthony) DeMarco and Dawn (Oscar) Bonohona, all of whom provided love and support during her marriage and through her final days.

Throughout her final journey Becky received exceptional care and guidance from the staff at Fairview University Hospital and St. Luke's hospital, while her needs were constantly met by her family and closest friends.

In her final days, at the intersection of hope and reality, she was gifted with peace and comfort. God bless our butterfly. Her wings no longer need touch the ground. Well done, our good and faithful servant Becky.

VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Monday with rosary recitation at 6:30 p.m. in the Dougherty Funeral Home.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E. Fourth St., Duluth. Burial follows at the Polish Catholic Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred and may be directed to the family to be used for Becky's children's education.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 600 E. Second St., Duluth, (218) 727-3555.