Ann Marie Becker, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Born in 1938 to German immigrants (Peter and Barbara Becker, née Hohn) who settled in St Louis, Ann grew up valuing hard work, education, and service. A 1960 graduate of St. Louis University School of Nursing, she dedicated the greater part of her life to this profession. As a nurse at St. Mary’s Hospital, she helped open their first Intensive Care Unit. She enjoyed educating younger generations of nurses, first teaching at Jewish Hospital School of Nursing and later becoming an Associate Professor of Nursing at St. Louis University. Her dedication to education knew no borders as she traveled as far as China and Spain on nursing missions to share her knowledge.
She also used travel to share her love of learning with her family. She was a devoted aunt and frequently took her nieces and nephews —and later their children—on well-planned trips. She traveled extensively with her sister Frances and other friends, including many trips to visit family in Germany.
She was a beloved sister of the late Frances Appelbaum and the late Barbara Nicholson, and a treasured aunt to twenty-four nieces and nephews spanning four generations.
SERVICES: Visitation at Laclede Groves Chapel (723 South Laclede Station Road Webster Groves, Missouri 63119) on Saturday, April 18th from 9:00 a.m. until funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery.
Ann remained passionate through her final days about the importance of communities continuing to welcome immigrants and refugees. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the International Institute of St. Louis, 3401 Arsenal, St. Louis, MO 63118 or online at https://www.iistl.org