Judy W. Becker

"Judy W. Becker Gannuch, a resident of Baton Rouge, passed away peacefully with family and friends by her side on July 13, 2018 at the age of 73. Judy was born in Vallejo, California and considered herself a proud native of Hot Springs, Arkansas where she moved as an infant and spent her formative years.  She graduated in 1963 from Hot Springs High School and moved to New Orleans to begin a long and successful career with Hibernia National Bank.  She began her banking career as a teller before joining what was then Fidelity National Bank in consumer loans, moving on to assistant branch manager, branch manager, business development officer, and vice president during a twenty-six year career spent in retail, trust, and small business development.  She helped expand the bank's presence in the New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Central markets.  Judy was a people person by nature and developed many lifelong friendships from the business relationships she formed throughout her career.  She served on several boards and was active in many civic and service organizations in the communities in which she lived.  Judy is recognized as the first woman to become a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club of Baton Rouge.  She was a voracious reader throughout life, and an excellent cook, a skill she learned from her mother.  Judy also enjoyed entertaining family and her many close friends, and spending time with her grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as JuJu and MiMi. She is survived by her loving husband of twenty-three years, Salvadore Gannuch; stepsons Craig (Melissa), and Anthony, and daughter Gwen Becker Maldonado (Wayne); grandchildren Justin, Ella, and Andrew Gannuch, and Ryan (Madelyn) and Michael Maldonado; and her cousin and lifelong friend JoAnne Turiace. Judy is preceded in death by her parents, George and Esther Horne; maternal grandparents Peter and Monte Wright Ford; sisters, Masion Lorraine Whisenant, and Jimmie Sue Whisenant; and brothers Marion Clay Whisenant and George A. Horne, Jr.    Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Rabenhorst Funeral Home (825 Government Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802) at 1:00 pm until the Memorial Service at 3:00 pm officiated by Rev. Jim Efferson.  Words of comfort may be expressed to the family at www.rabenhorst.com.