BLOOMINGTON — Rebecca Lynne Payne, 67, died peacefully in the early morning hours of February 10, 2021, after a short stint in hospice at Hearthstone Health Campus in Bloomington, Indiana.
Rebecca was born on July 29, 1953, at the army base in Presque Isle, Maine. She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Payne, her mother, Elizabeth Puckett, her sister Kathy Hunter, and her step-fathers Harry Puckett and Tom Lemon. Rebecca leaves behind daughter Kathe Vagasky (Thomas), sister Tracey Lemon (Suzanne Wille), brother Jim Lemon (Marcia Grooms), step-brothers Rid Lemon (Jo) and Tim Lemon (Karen), two grandchildren, Haddie and Carson Vagasky, many cousins, nieces, a nephew, and many friends.
Rebecca attended Loyola University, Chicago, where she received her degree in fine art. A lover of art, travel, and culture, she traveled Europe during her studies. She was especially proud that her clay work was part of an exhibit at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago in the early 80’s. A force to be reckoned with, Rebecca was passionate about social justice. She fought for women’s rights and was the Director of the Cairo (Illinois) Women’s Shelter; she would later speak of this role as one of the greatest honors of her life. Rebecca dedicated the weeks before her final illness to placing calls and sending letters towards the presidential election and the vote in Georgia.
It is notable that Rebecca endured and overcame multiple challenges in her life. Her sister, friends, and daughter provided years of comfort and laughter following an accident seven years ago that left her paralyzed. Rebecca made the most of those years, corresponding and connecting with dear friends and family and forming beautiful relationships with her grandchildren.
If a life is to be measured by friends, generosity, and an ongoing pursuit of how to make meaningful change and seek to understand the gift of forgiveness, then Rebecca is an exemplar. Through setbacks and difficult life situations, Rebecca remained true to herself with curiosity, openness, and beauty. Her strength and perseverance only grew as the years passed, as did the love and admiration of those who cared for her.
Bloomington (IN) Herald-Times, February 13, 2021
Rebecca was born on July 29, 1953, at the army base in Presque Isle, Maine. She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Payne, her mother, Elizabeth Puckett, her sister Kathy Hunter, and her step-fathers Harry Puckett and Tom Lemon. Rebecca leaves behind daughter Kathe Vagasky (Thomas), sister Tracey Lemon (Suzanne Wille), brother Jim Lemon (Marcia Grooms), step-brothers Rid Lemon (Jo) and Tim Lemon (Karen), two grandchildren, Haddie and Carson Vagasky, many cousins, nieces, a nephew, and many friends.
Rebecca attended Loyola University, Chicago, where she received her degree in fine art. A lover of art, travel, and culture, she traveled Europe during her studies. She was especially proud that her clay work was part of an exhibit at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago in the early 80’s. A force to be reckoned with, Rebecca was passionate about social justice. She fought for women’s rights and was the Director of the Cairo (Illinois) Women’s Shelter; she would later speak of this role as one of the greatest honors of her life. Rebecca dedicated the weeks before her final illness to placing calls and sending letters towards the presidential election and the vote in Georgia.
It is notable that Rebecca endured and overcame multiple challenges in her life. Her sister, friends, and daughter provided years of comfort and laughter following an accident seven years ago that left her paralyzed. Rebecca made the most of those years, corresponding and connecting with dear friends and family and forming beautiful relationships with her grandchildren.
If a life is to be measured by friends, generosity, and an ongoing pursuit of how to make meaningful change and seek to understand the gift of forgiveness, then Rebecca is an exemplar. Through setbacks and difficult life situations, Rebecca remained true to herself with curiosity, openness, and beauty. Her strength and perseverance only grew as the years passed, as did the love and admiration of those who cared for her.
Bloomington (IN) Herald-Times, February 13, 2021
BLOOMINGTON — Rebecca Lynne Payne, 67, died peacefully in the early morning hours of February 10, 2021, after a short stint in hospice at Hearthstone Health Campus in Bloomington, Indiana.
Rebecca was born on July 29, 1953, at the army base in Presque Isle, Maine. She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Payne, her mother, Elizabeth Puckett, her sister Kathy Hunter, and her step-fathers Harry Puckett and Tom Lemon. Rebecca leaves behind daughter Kathe Vagasky (Thomas), sister Tracey Lemon (Suzanne Wille), brother Jim Lemon (Marcia Grooms), step-brothers Rid Lemon (Jo) and Tim Lemon (Karen), two grandchildren, Haddie and Carson Vagasky, many cousins, nieces, a nephew, and many friends.
Rebecca attended Loyola University, Chicago, where she received her degree in fine art. A lover of art, travel, and culture, she traveled Europe during her studies. She was especially proud that her clay work was part of an exhibit at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago in the early 80’s. A force to be reckoned with, Rebecca was passionate about social justice. She fought for women’s rights and was the Director of the Cairo (Illinois) Women’s Shelter; she would later speak of this role as one of the greatest honors of her life. Rebecca dedicated the weeks before her final illness to placing calls and sending letters towards the presidential election and the vote in Georgia.
It is notable that Rebecca endured and overcame multiple challenges in her life. Her sister, friends, and daughter provided years of comfort and laughter following an accident seven years ago that left her paralyzed. Rebecca made the most of those years, corresponding and connecting with dear friends and family and forming beautiful relationships with her grandchildren.
If a life is to be measured by friends, generosity, and an ongoing pursuit of how to make meaningful change and seek to understand the gift of forgiveness, then Rebecca is an exemplar. Through setbacks and difficult life situations, Rebecca remained true to herself with curiosity, openness, and beauty. Her strength and perseverance only grew as the years passed, as did the love and admiration of those who cared for her.
Bloomington (IN) Herald-Times, February 13, 2021
Rebecca was born on July 29, 1953, at the army base in Presque Isle, Maine. She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Payne, her mother, Elizabeth Puckett, her sister Kathy Hunter, and her step-fathers Harry Puckett and Tom Lemon. Rebecca leaves behind daughter Kathe Vagasky (Thomas), sister Tracey Lemon (Suzanne Wille), brother Jim Lemon (Marcia Grooms), step-brothers Rid Lemon (Jo) and Tim Lemon (Karen), two grandchildren, Haddie and Carson Vagasky, many cousins, nieces, a nephew, and many friends.
Rebecca attended Loyola University, Chicago, where she received her degree in fine art. A lover of art, travel, and culture, she traveled Europe during her studies. She was especially proud that her clay work was part of an exhibit at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago in the early 80’s. A force to be reckoned with, Rebecca was passionate about social justice. She fought for women’s rights and was the Director of the Cairo (Illinois) Women’s Shelter; she would later speak of this role as one of the greatest honors of her life. Rebecca dedicated the weeks before her final illness to placing calls and sending letters towards the presidential election and the vote in Georgia.
It is notable that Rebecca endured and overcame multiple challenges in her life. Her sister, friends, and daughter provided years of comfort and laughter following an accident seven years ago that left her paralyzed. Rebecca made the most of those years, corresponding and connecting with dear friends and family and forming beautiful relationships with her grandchildren.
If a life is to be measured by friends, generosity, and an ongoing pursuit of how to make meaningful change and seek to understand the gift of forgiveness, then Rebecca is an exemplar. Through setbacks and difficult life situations, Rebecca remained true to herself with curiosity, openness, and beauty. Her strength and perseverance only grew as the years passed, as did the love and admiration of those who cared for her.
Bloomington (IN) Herald-Times, February 13, 2021
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