Becky Jones

Honoring Becky: Why We’re Supporting The Crocus Foundation

My beloved friend Becky died of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, on October 6, 2025. 

When I first met Becky in 2021 at the Worship and Arts Conference in Montreat, North Carolina, I had no idea she would become such an important part of my life. We ended that week sitting on the porch of her lodge, sharing a glass of wine and our hopes for the future of the church. Becky was the music director of a small Ohio congregation, and when she spoke about bringing people together through music, there was a fire in her eyes. She carried a steady, bright hope that made you want to hope too.

Of course, we didn’t only talk about church and ministry. We laughed about the bears wandering the Smoky Mountains, her love of hot pink (her favorite color), her absolute loyalty to Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, her beloved porch and plants back home, and—naturally—musical theater. That first conversation turned into a friendship that grew year after year. By the next summer, a handful of us “Montreaters” had decided to share a house during the conference. Then we did it again the next year, and the next. A group of strangers became family—bound not by blood, but by God and a quaint little conference center in the mountains.

Becky’s bright spirit lit up every room she entered. She was one of the most caring and supportive people you could ever hope to meet—always full of love, encouragement, and laughter. One of my favorite memories with her was our annual shopping trip to the outdoor outfitter store in Montreat. We shared a love for bright colors and fun clothes, and we’d always leave with heavy bags and light wallets.

When I finally had the chance to visit her in Ohio and sit on her famous porch, I understood why it was such a sacred space for her. The wicker furniture was worn but welcoming. Plants surrounded the space—hanging, potted, thriving. A few autumn decorations for “spooky season.” Even the fly swatters and bug spray seemed part of the charm. Everything about that porch said, "Stay awhile."

Becky embodied warmth, creativity, and community. Her life was a testament to the beauty that comes from bringing people together—through music, through hospitality, through love.

That’s why Jeff and I have chosen to honor Becky by inviting our wedding guests to donate to The Crocus Foundation in Dubuque, Iowa, in lieu of gifts. The Crocus Foundation supports programs that nurture hope and healing—values that Becky lived every day. It feels fitting to celebrate our marriage by carrying forward her legacy of compassion and joy, helping others grow and flourish, just as she helped all of us.

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– Stephanie Ells and Jeff Szalkowski