Becky Schenck

Becky Schenck, of Fishers, Ind., passed away July 24, 2016, at her home in Fishers, at the age of 63.

Becky is survived by her husband and best friend, Steve Schenck, of Fishers, Ind. She will be missed by her children, Jim (Krissy) Schenck, Andy Schenck, Scott (Keely) Schenck, and Julie (Ben) Garvin, all of Fishers, Ind., and her eight grandchildren; Olivia, Charlie, Addison, Evelyn, Sam, Noah, Luke and Graham. She leaves behind her brother, Stan (Elaine) Burk of Sumter, S.C. and sister, Gretchen (Ron) Dunn of Walkertown, N.C. She is preceded in death by her parents, James Burk and Martha Burk of Evansville, Ind. and her daughter, Gina Schenck.

Becky was born on Jan. 23, 1953 in Princeton, Ind. She married Steve Schenck, the love of her life, in 1970. The couple moved from their first home in Evansville to Lafayette, where their son, Jim, was born. In 1973, they relocated to Indianapolis, when Steve started his career at Indiana National Bank. He retired in 2007 from Regions Bank, after 34 years in the banking business, before joining Merrill Lynch. The Schencks’ other children, Scott, Andy and Julie, were all born in Indianapolis. Becky loved her family and was completely devoted to Steve, her children and grandchildren.

She also loved the city of Indianapolis with a passion. Becky poured her heart and energy into extensive volunteer work for non-profit organizations. She will be perhaps best remembered for her valuable work and legacy at the Christamore House, where the Becky Schenck Early Childhood Education Center was dedicated in her honor, in 2007. She also played active roles at The Indianapolis Zoo, as a member of the Indianapolis Zoo Guild and as the organization’s Nussbaum Committee Chair, in 2003. In addition, Becky served on the Advisory Board for Indianapolis Woman magazine and the Board of Directors for the Indianapolis Library Foundation. She was a member of the Hoosier Alliance Against Drugs and numerous giving societies. From 1999-2005, Becky and Steve worked together on the 500 Festival Board. Becky received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers Award from the Indiana Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

In 2006, Becky was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a rare and terminal form of brain cancer. She was given 12-15 months to live. By God’s grace, with an incredible medical team from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), IU Health and Community Health Network, and with an experimental treatment drug developed by Eli Lilly and Company, Becky defied all odds and lived ten years beyond her initial prognosis. Her story of faith, hope and determination to fight her disease touched and inspired many. She never gave up her positive attitude or her desire to live every day to the fullest. To the many people whose lives Becky touched, she was a source of strength and inspiration. She loved God deeply and shared her faith openly. The love that Steve and Becky shared for nearly 50 years together was nothing short of remarkable.

A celebration of Becky’s amazing journey of faith and hope will be held Saturday, July 30, 2016 from 4-8 p.m. at the FORUM Conference and Events Center, 11313 USA Parkway, Fishers, Ind. A time of sharing special memories of Becky will be held at 6 p.m. Casual attire is welcome.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to benefit two causes that were important to Becky; Christamore House, 502 N Tremont St, Indianapolis, Ind. 46222 or Community Health Network Foundation Cancer Fund, 7240 Shadeland Station, Suite 125, Indianapolis, Ind. 46256.

Becky's inspiring story will be published in mid-August, in Beyond Words: Becky and Steve Schenck’s Inspiring Story of Faith, Hope, and Love in the Face of Terminal Brain Cancer. For more information, visit IBJ Publishing at www.ibj.com/books.