On December 20, 2021 Rebekah Elizabeth Wilmot Pettway arrived into the Glorious Presence of Jesus, surrounded by her parents who were with her as she was transitioned into her Heavenly home.
Rebekah was born June 5, 1985 in Waterville Maine to Peter and Nancy Wilmot. When she was 10 months old she won a battle with bacterial meningitis, but lost her hearing as a result.
Beka attended Rhode Island School for the Deaf graduating in June 2003. She attended classes at Bristol Community College in their culinary program. She worked part time for Burger King in Dartmouth. Her husband Joseph Pettway had predeceased her.
Beka loved life and especially people. Being deaf was not a handicap for her. She could always communicate with her smile, her laugh and love of life and people.
Beka had a way of touching your heart with a smile, a hug or her heart to help others. She was always ministering to people in need, often reaching out when others said no. She took in a homeless mother and her two children who had no place to live. Beka had such a heart of love for all people. That love of life will be sorely missed.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her three brothers Jeffrey Forsythe and his wife Rhonda of Falmouth Maine, Marc Forsythe and his companion Kristi of Largo Florida and Kevin Forsythe and his wife Elecia of St. Petersburg, Florida. She is also survived by her aunt Susan Coates and her husband Edward of Albion Maine, her aunt Mary and Gary Dyke of Lewiston Maine, her aunt Deborah Trepanier of Winslow, Maine, and uncles Larry Denis of Arizona, and Ronald Denis of Las Vegas. She also leaves her nephews Austin, Evan and Jordan, and her nieces Hannah, Faith, Meagan, Brianna, and Lauren. She also had numerous cousins whom she loved dearly.
She is also survived by her dear friends Laura Testone, whom she met at the school for the deaf, and her friend, Jaime Brown.
Rebekah entered heaven earlier than any of us would have wanted, but the people she touched with her love of life will always keep her in their heart. Beka, we miss you so much and are grateful for the way you have touched all our lives.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday December 28, 2021 at 11 AM at New Life South Coast, 1331 Cove Road, New Bedford. Visiting hours will be on Monday December 27, 2021 from 4-8 PM at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.