Obituary of Rebecca Lee McIntyre

Rebecca Lee McIntyre took her last breath on Earth, surrounded by family, at 8:55 p.m. on Thursday, October 26, 2023, in Eugene, OR.

Rebecca Lee Kitchell was born on June 29, 1972, to Oscar Dwain and Dorothea Mae “Sue” Kitchell at Sacred Heart General Hospital in Eugene.  Growing up, Becki was known for the humor and joy she brought to her family and friends. Throughout school, Becki developed a passion for music, singing, and performance.  She was a part of choir, was active in her church youth group, and played guitar.  She also loved volunteering at the ARC.

Becki knew from a young age that she was going to marry a pastor.  At Willamette High School, where she graduated in 1991, Becki met Steven Todd McIntyre, a future student at Eugene Bible College.  Steve was Becki’s date to her senior prom, and, after dating for 10 months, Becki and Steve married at Neighborhood Assembly of God on September 7, 1991. 

When Becki moved with Steve to Everett, Washington, she was a phenomenal and inspiring worship and youth group leader.  Becki loved working with youth and children.  In 1994, in Everett, Becki gave birth to her first child, Steven II.

After a brief stint in Elk, Washington, Becki and family moved to Olean, New York to be pastors at Allegany Full Gospel Church in 1996.  Becki’s next two children, Michael and Kassondra, were born in Olean in 1997 and 1998, respectively.  Becki continued to be a magnetic and deeply loving presence in Olean, putting together amazing Vacation Bible Schools and children’s plays while leading the worship band.  Her giving nature was exemplified in 2002, when she donated a portion of her liver to a woman in the church who needed a transplant.

In 2003, Becki moved back to Oregon with her family and joined Bethany Church of Franklin where she continued to lead worship and support Steve as pastor.  She honed her craft of putting on the very best plays, VBSes, and harvest carnivals for the young people she met at Franklin.  She also worked in the hospice and home healthcare fields during this time.  As a part of Becki and Steve’s love for children, they decided to adopt a child from Ethiopia.

In late October of 2009, shortly after one of the aforementioned harvest carnivals, Becki was diagnosed with stage II brain cancer.  The early prognosis was 6-9 years of life.  Becki, determined as ever to bring home her baby, faced a variety of difficult treatments so she could live to travel to Ethiopia and adopt Angelina Mihret, her fourth child.

Even while she fought the hard fight against cancer, she continued to be a light to all who met her.  Leading worship, dancing and bringing joy wherever she went, teaching and supporting her kids, traveling with her husband and family across the nation, and continuing to make sure every person she met felt included were just a few of the ways she shared the love of Christ post-diagnosis.

Becki is survived by Steven, her husband of 32 years; her sons, Steven II and Michael; her daughters, Kassondra (Matt) and Angelina; and her three grandchildren, Trinity, Calvin, and Daxton.  A loving and doting grandmother, Becki excitedly anticipated the arrival of her newest grandchild, Rebecca.  Becki is also survived by her parents, Oscar and Sue Kitchell; her siblings, Wayne, Connie (Justin), and Julie; and her three nephews who were legally adopted siblings, Jeremy, Eric, and Garrett (Natalie).

A private graveside service was held at Franklin Cemetery on Tuesday, November 7.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, at Bethany Church of Franklin, 92078 Territorial Hwy, Junction City, OR 97448.  Donations in Becki’s memory can be made to Holt International or the National Brain Tumor Society.