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Martha Marie Pfaff Becker ’31

Martha Marie Pfaff Becker ’31, June 15, 2006, from a heart attack, in Portland. Martha received a BA in mathematics, and remained at Reed for the next academic year, assisting in the mathematics and German departments, and taking additional language coursework. During World War II, she also assisted Reed’s mathematics program under Jessie M. Short [1920–39] and F.L. Griffin [1911–56]. In 1933, she married Melvin Becker. His work as a C.P.A. took them briefly to Astoria, though they lived most of their married life in Portland. Martha spent some years at home raising her children, and then became a certified teacher’s aide at Couch Elementary School in northwest Portland, primarily working with disadvantaged children in remedial reading (1955–64). This June, she was the only member of the class of 1931 to attend the 75th class reunion at Reed. Survivors include her daughter, son, three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1991, and a daughter in childhood.

Appeared in Reed magazine: November 2006

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