Family And Friends Honor Stillwater Woman Killed In Denver Pileup

A 104-car pileup in Denver left 30 injured and one dead. And sadly, that one death was 61-year-old Rebecca Newkirk from Stillwater, Okla.

Newkirk was there to celebrate her mother's birthday. Wednesday night News 9 is learning more about the woman everyone called, Becky.

To most of the nation, Becky Newkirk will be remembered as the one fatality is that 104-car pileup in Denver. But to friends and family in Stillwater, she was an amazing woman who absolutely loved her grand babies.

"That's what she loved most, her family. That's what was important to her," said Becky's daughter, Jessica Strowski.

Priorities were always clear for Newkirk; sister of 15, mother and grandmother to many more.

"She was an everyday part of our lives. A very involved grandmother and we were blessed to have that," said Jessica.

"She taught me how to knit and crochet," said granddaughter Korea Strowski.

Each of Becky's grandchildren will have something by which to remember her.

"She made me a bunny blanket and that reminds me of grandma," said granddaughter, Eden Strowski.

Family was the reason Becky and her husband Doug were in Denver on Saturday. She was reuniting with her siblings to celebrate their mom's 93rd birthday; a party Becky never made it to.

"Initially it was just total break down for my girls and I," said Jessica.

Newkirk's daughter Jessica quickly found peace in her mother's faith.

"That's her greatest gift to me as her daughter was her faith," said Jessica.

"She was very dear to many of us. She was always positive," said Becky's co-worker, Donna Sinnes.

To Becky's co-workers of almost 20 years, recipes, gardening and a love for travel described her, but it was her core that defined her.

"I wouldn't say she was ready to go, but I would have never thought of a person who was more prepared to go, in her heart and in her soul," said Donna.

There was a memorial service for Becky in Denver on Wednesday. Her funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday in Stillwater.

Becky's husband, Doug, was released from the hospital Sunday with minor injuries.