Rebecca "Becky" Ann Cornell

Rebecca Ann Cornell — known to everyone who loved her as Becky — was born on July 3, 1947, in Wellsville, New York, to Harold and Jean (Bunnell) Richeson. She grew up on the family farm in Tuscarora, New York, alongside her three siblings, in a home shaped by her mother’s love of learning, music, and her father’s steady, hardworking spirit. It was a foundation that would define her for the rest of her life.

Becky graduated from Nunda High School, where she formed friendships that she carried with her always. She was the kind of person who never really let go of the people she cared they never let go of her. Wherever Becky went, she made friends. It wasn’t something she tried to do; it was simply who she was.

She raised her three daughters in Caledonia, New York, before making North Chili her home and marrying the love of her life, Larry. Professionally, Becky built a distinguished career — first at the University of Rochester and later at Global Crossing, where she rose to serve as Director of Procurement. She approached her work the same way she approached everything: with dedication, integrity, and a genuine warmth that made her a fixture in every workplace she graced. She retired in 2012.

Becky faced the challenges of chronic kidney disease with the same quiet strength and grace that she brought to everything in life. In one of the most profound acts of love, her daughter Tracy donated a kidney to her mother — a gift of life that allowed Becky more precious years with the people she cherished most. It was a testament to the deep bonds of love that defined this family. In retirement, Becky truly bloomed. Her garden was her joy — a testament to her patience and care, bursting with both flowers and vegetables, and alive with the birds she so dearly loved to watch. She joined North Chili United Methodist Church and quickly became a beloved presence there and at the Hubbard Springs Garden Club of Chili, giving her time and her heart to both.

Music was one of Becky’s quiet gifts that never left her. She played the organ beautifully — the kind of playing that fills a room not just with sound, but with feeling. And above all else, Becky was the heart of her family. She was the one who gathered everyone together — for holidays, reunions, and every occasion worth celebrating. She was the matriarch, the anchor, and the warmth at the center of it all.

Becky passed away at home on June 12, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. She leaves behind a community immeasurably better for having known her and will be remembered not just for what she did, but for how she made people feel — cared for, welcomed, and loved.

She is survived by her husband, Larry Cornell; her siblings, Cathy Ruffner; Mark Richeson (Linn); and Deb Williams (Dave); her daughters Michele Hill (Carl); Tracy Havens; and Shari Nath (Alok); her step-daughters, Tricia Cornell; Rachel Cornell; and Becky Cornell; her grandchildren, Nicole Broadhurst; Brittany Hill; Tyler Hill; Owen Havens; Molly Martin (Zach); Mady Sims (partner Jadyn Kurtz); Max Sims; Emily Havens; Miller Crayton; Mira Nath; and Anika Nath; her great-grandchildren Mason Broadhurst; Jackson Broadhurst; Dominik Hill; and Jaxson Kurtz; her aunt, Alice “Kitty” Knittel; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the North Chili United Methodist Church, 2200 Westside Dr, Rochester, NY 14624, where a light lunch will be served before the service at 11:00 am. The service will be available via Livestream at northchiliumc.org for those unable to attend in person.

In lieu of flowers, Becky would welcome donations to the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org