Rebecca Topp

Upbeat, energetic and positive are just a few of many characteristics to describe Rebecca Topp. She was always up for whatever challenge faced her. With her remarkable way of approaching new situations she always succeeded with great enthusiasm and energy.

Becky was born at three o'clock on Friday, September 28, 1972 at Borgess Hospital. Her loving parents, Jeff and Sharon (LePert) Hitchcock welcomed her arrival with open arms. They quickly introduced her to her big sister Audrey and few years later, they gave her a little brother named Scott.

Talking came naturally for Becky, so much so, that her family teasingly referred to her as a "motor mouth." Becky found many activities to be involved in as a child. To use up all that energy she had, she participated in Girl Scouts, baton and the 4-H club. During her elementary years, she was educated at Cooper Elementary School. Later, she went on to Plainwell High School but moved to Parchment before her schooling was complete. As a teenager, Becky was a cheerleader and she also found time to work at Poor Richard's Café in Kalamazoo. She graduated from Parchment High School in 1991.

After graduation, Becky enrolled at Greck University where she earned her Degree as a Medical Assistant. She desired to do her part to make the world a better place and she wanted to have a job that mattered. With Becky's education, she found work as a phlebotomist with a blood bank. For the past three years, she dedicated her time to working at the American Red Cross. She loved her job and enjoyed the time she had at work to interact with a variety of people.

Dave Topp was a young man Becky had known since Kindergarten. While in high school, Dave took Becky skating at Lawson Ice Arena. Their lives crossed paths now and then over the years. They lost touch for a while and then reconnected again. Becky realized Dave was the man for her and on October 6, 2001 they were married. With their marriage, Dave not only gained a wife but also a son. In 1992, Becky had a son, she named him Nick and he quickly became the center of her world. Her life revolved around making sure Nick was happy and anytime he was involved in anything she was there to support him. Dave, Becky and Nick also shared their home with Minnie, their German short hair dog.

Having a family to love and care for meant everything to Becky and she devoted her time to making them happy. Becky, being a wonderful cook, was always up for trying new recipes. Even with all her experimenting in the kitchen she never made a bad meal. Many times she made enough food to have her parents over. She was happy having everyone together. Holidays were also important to Becky and she especially enjoyed Halloween. She always went over the top on decorations. Becky loved buying the perfect gifts to put under the tree and finding the perfect items for the Easter baskets.

Becky loved new adventures. She embraced every opportunity from trips up north fishing with Dave to dining out at a new restaurant. One of her favorite thrills was going to theme parks. Dave was not a fan of the rides so Becky made her annual trip to Cedar Point with Nick and her parents. One year they even made the journey to experience the thrills at Disney World in Florida.

Becky knew the value of friends and family. She found ways to spend time with everyone important to her. She stayed in touch with her cousins and often scheduled time to get together. She loved going to the movies no matter what the genre. Becky had different friends and family who enjoyed each type of movie. She would go to movies with a different person depending on what she was going to see. She belonged to a book club, but not for the reading, but rather the socializing. Becky was able to get people to do things they would have never thought of doing themselves. Because of this she was often called an instigator.

Becky was in love with her family and thrived on caring for others. People always knew when Becky was around because of the amazing energy that surrounded her. She lived life with pizzazz and lived each day as if there were no tomorrow. As Dave says, there was never a dull moment with Becky around. She was always willing to give of herself without question, or to lend a supportive hand to someone in need. Her desire to see others happy, her joy in everyday life and her commitment to making the world a better place blessed everyone around her.

Rebecca Topp, age 33, died in her sleep at her home on June 3, 2006. Learn more about Becky, visit with her family, and view her Life Story Film, on Tuesday from 4:00-7:00p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Home, Rupert, Durham, Marshall & Gren, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams, where her service will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM. Becky's family includes her husband, Dave and son, Nick; her parents, Jeff & Sharon Hitchcock of Kalamazoo; sister Audrey Hitchcock of Oklahoma and brother Scott Hitchcock of Kalamazoo; grandparents: Betty LePert and Katie & Collie Orosz; and several cousins, aunts & uncles. She was preceded in death by her grandfathers: Royal LePert and William C. Hitchcock and her uncle Jay LePert. Please visit Becky's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory, or make a memorial donation to an Educational Fund for Nick Topp, checks may be made to RDMG, in care of the Education Fund.