Agnes Becker Gentry, 98, formerly of Mill Lane, Jordan Village neighborhood of Waterford, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2016 at BrideBrook Health and Rehabilitation Center in Niantic.
She was the middle of three daughters (the Kratky girls) born to Czechoslovakian immigrants, Marek "Mike" and Agnes Kratky on December 26, 1917 in Alpine, New Jersey. She graduated from Hackensack High School, Hackensack, NJ in June 1935 and went on to her first job as a clerk at W.W. Woolworth in Hackensack, NJ. In 1937 she was off to the big city of New York beginning her long career as a stenographer/professional secretary continuing with other various positions in New York City, Staten Island, North Carolina and Connecticut, retiring in her early eighties from the Waterford Police Department.
On October 11, 1941, Agnes married Kenneth H. Becker and together they raised three children. They bought their home in Jordan Village in October 1949, and Kenneth, quite the handyman was always busy making improvements. Although she and Ken divorced in March 1969, Agnes continued living there, for 62 years. Her house was granted historical recognition in the early 1990's, much to Agnes's delight.
Agnes and Billy D. Gentry LTJG USCG were married in May 1975. Together they enjoyed socializing with friends, caring for pets and gardening, and a stint at trailer camping as well as numerous trips to Governor's Island in New York. That union ended in September 1984.
Agnes enjoyed many years of organized bowling at local, state, and national levels beginning in 1957 and spanning through early 2001 at which time her physical capabilities only allowed for occasional recreational bowling. She was dedicated to organized bowling, inducted into the NLWBA Hall of Fame in June 1988, the CWBA Hall of Fame in June 1997 along with being a life member of the NLWBA and charter member of the CWBA. Agnes was an avid golfer as well. Attending stretch exercises at the Waterford Senior Center was a weekly event through her late 80's and she was very pleased to be driving herself there!
Her family was very proud of her going back to school while in her 60's, first obtaining an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science at Mohegan Community College in 1979 and Bachelor Degree of Science in Business Administration at Eastern Connecticut State College in 1981 as well as her Library Technology Certificate from Three Rivers Community College in 2002.
Agnes took pleasure in tending her flower gardens, bird watching, and enjoyed the company of many family pets by her side, the last being her Yellow Lab, Sabra, and cats Sinbad, Sojhi and Sahara. She thoroughly enjoyed keeping up with politics and reading The Day newspaper daily.
She is survived by her three children, daughter Lois and husband Howard T. Lehmann of Summerville, South Carolina, son Alan K. Becker of Aspen, Colorado and daughter Linda and husband Roger Hary of Oakdale. She is also survived by three grandchildren, number 1 grandson Jeremy and wife Gabriella Lehmann of Niantic, granddaughter Holly Lehmann of Boulder, Colorado, and grandson Christopher Hary of Oakdale, as well as the greatest joys of her life, two great-granddaughters Daniella and Alexandra of Niantic. Agnes is also survived by her younger sister Emily Cummings of Staten Island, New York as well as several cousins, nephews, and nieces. She was predeceased by her parents, and older sister Helen Sprague.
Agnes was especially proud of her daughter Lois's accomplishments in her long medical field career and of her son Alan's achievements as a professional photographer, and daughter Linda's compassion for all nature.
The family would like to thank BrideBrook for the excellent care that their mother received there for the past 4 1/2 years.
In keeping with Agnes's wishes there will be no services. Memorial donations may be made to the CT Humane Society (Waterford Shelter), 169 Old Colchester Road, Quaker Hill CT 06375.
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