Rebecca Mary Wren

Rebecca “Becky” M. Wren, 41 of Rock Island, Illinois passed away on July 24, 2024, at home, surrounded by family after a hard fought battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Per her wishes, she has chosen to participate in the Deeded Body Program at Palmer School of Chiropractic. A Celebration of Life will be held at Rozz-Tox located at 2108 3rd Ave, Rock Island from 11-2 p.m on Sunday August 11, 2024. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Living Lands & Waters or Figge Art Museum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.weertsfh.com.

Becky was born on March 21, 1983 in Rock Island to Rick and Joan (Majetic) Wren. She graduated from Rock Island High School in 2001 and took photography classes at Black Hawk College. Survivors include her parents, Rick and Joan Wren of Rock Island; brothers, Joshua Wren of Rock Island and Zach (Tiffanie) Wren of Menomonee Falls, WI; nephews and nieces, Liam, Lyza, Hunter, and Rylie, whom she loved fiercely. She also leaves several aunts and uncles; and her beloved dog, Eddy—or, as Becky fondly called her, “my bup.”

Becky will also be deeply grieved by the found family she made throughout her life. She is survived by her best friend—her person—Beth Woolley of Davenport, and a number of sisters, brothers, and “niblings” who didn’t share a drop of her blood, but will mourn her as such and feel her absence keenly. She created space for all the children in her life. To those closest to her, including Cameron, Antigone, Frankie, MiKayla, Christian, Mackenzie, and many others, she became “Aunt Becky,” “Kiki,” or “Grampa Becky.” She loved all of her kids “a bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck.”

Becky would tell you she was a “Jack of all trades, Jill of none.” More specifically, she was an artist, a woodworker, and a commercial fisherman. She spent her last fishing season pulling invasive carp out of the Illinois River. She owned and operated Renascent Wood, creating beautiful and useful works out of “scraps from scraps.” Her life was a work of art that she created fearlessly. If the opportunity to learn a new skill or hone an old one came up, she’d take it, even if those opportunities took her away from home. She didn’t care about material value. She valued work that was meaningful.

She was unapologetically, singularly, and entirely herself—independent, sharp, witty, resourceful, playful, creative, talented, and kind. She noticed everything. She was always good for a sneaky laugh. She loved music, and could guess pretty much any funky tune if you hummed a few bars.

Becky didn’t hesitate to tell you if she loved you, but it was her quiet love that was the most felt. Whatever highs or lows you were feeling, she’d meet you there. She’d craft your gifts with her own hands, give you the earrings from her ears, and loved your family like they were as much a part of her as you were. If you forgot something, she had already brought extra for you. If you had a need, she’d fill it for you, even if you didn’t know you had the need in the first place. If a thing had to be done, but you weren’t sure how to make it happen, she probably knew how, and would help make it happen with you.

Becky saw you, she noticed you. Her love covered up the blank spots and shored up the cracks in your foundation.

For her people, she is irreplaceable.