Rebecca "Becca" Suzanne Ruidl

May 3, 1988 was a beautiful sunny day. On that day a baby was born with a beautiful smile and sunny disposition. Rebecca Suzanne Ruidl entered the world as “Baby Becca,” a nickname that she carried throughout her life, as the youngest of four children. It was heartbreaking to hear the news that she had died unexpectedly on March 18, 2022, a chilly, damp and gloomy day.

Becca is survived by her parents, Jan and Gregg Ruidl, brother Jeff and his wife Katie, two sisters, Courtney and her husband Tim Krause and Lisa and Steve Nosbisch. She was the very loved “fun aunt” to Jack, Charlie, Marion and George Ruidl and Audrey Nosbisch. Aunt Bee was adored by her nieces and nephews. Further survived by aunts and uncles: Patricia and Jerry Styberg, Carol Gilbert and Bill Ruidl, and loving Godparents, John and Sandy Lang.

We cannot forget to mention her beloved Waffles, a charming and active mini golden doodle who was Becca’s great joy and companion.

She graduated from Horlick High School, Marquette University, earned a Master’s of Library Science at UWM and a second Master’s in Early Childhood Education specializing in child advocacy from the Erickson Institute in Chicago.

She will be missed by dear friends Robert Clarke, Megan and Ryan Sessions, Sarah Milnar, Alice Kaufman, Alejandra Santana and Jenny Nickhorn. Becca’s friend circle was wide and varied and too numerous to list. Needless to say, she was not shy and retiring.

Covid-19 entered Becca’s life in early March of 2020. While she was quite ill initially, it was the damage that it unleashed that caused her so much misery. She was in unrelenting pain as her doctors tried several drugs to give her relief from the pain and the stiffness of her back, chest and other joints. At the time of her death, she had just started a new medication which she hoped was the one that would allow her to resume life on her terms. Sadly, it was not to be.

Despite all the pain, she was generally cheerful, animated and sparkled with a joyous light. She loved to dress up and go out with friends, make a signature drink for every holiday (even made- up holidays) and cook up a wide variety of healthy foods. But PIZZA was her true food. It could be gourmet, takeout from Toppers, Domino’s, Pizza Hut or even frozen. There never was a pizza Becca did not like!

Becca worked at the Chicago Public Library first as the manager of the STEAM TEAM which she helped develop, and most recently as the manager of the Bucktown-Wicker Park branch. She loved her colleagues, but more importantly she loved her kids and worked to improve their literacy every chance she got. Becca was instrumental in starting a program that introduced story hours and book availability in Laundromats which has gone on the become a national program with the Clinton Foundation and in satellite health clinics. Her plan to do the same for the city jails will, hopefully, be brought to fruition by her colleagues.

She was a book lover and her all-time passion was Harry Potter. She could quote large portions of the books and movies from memory, had her own wand and teased her brother mercilessly for mispronouncing the name of one of the characters. Additionally, she was a skilled writer and had begun a children’s book of her own. Like other projects, this one is left before completion.

More importantly, Becca had a spirit of love and justice that carried through in everything she did. She was a warrior for causes she believed in and would charm you into supporting them. Most recently it was collecting money and household items for an Afghan family being relocated to Chicago.

There is so much more to say about Becca. Those who knew her can add their own memories, the rest will have to be satisfied with what is written here.

She was a shining star and a tender heart. She will be forever missed. We love you Bee!

Visitation will be held on Friday, March 25, from 5 – 8 pm at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St. Racine, WI 53403.

Funeral Services will be at Sacred Heart Parish, 2201 Northwestern Ave., Racine 53404. There will be a short visitation from 9:30 – 10:30. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Hwy 32, Racine 53402.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Becca’s name may be made to Chicago Public Library Foundation, Reach Out and Read, Laundry Cares Foundation or to Catholic Relief Services for Ukrainian Refugee Support have been suggested by the family.