Rebecca Metcalf

Rebecca was born to the late Albert and Carmen (Herrera) Ransom on March 21, 1930, in Durango, Mexico.

Born into a wealthy mining family, they had lost their monetary fortune in the 1940s as a consequence of the Mexican civil war, but Rebecca maintained her faith and spirit in the face of it all. During the 1950’s, she met her late husband, William Metcalf, while working at a pharmacy where he shopped and later married in 1959. William was an ex US marine who had fought in the Pacific during WW2 and was living in Mexico. They had two sons, Albert Metcalf, born in 1960, and Russell Metcalf, born in 1961.

In 1964, she emigrated to the United States to Durango, Colorado hoping to give herself and her family a better life. She perfected the English she had learned in Mexico by reading newspapers and speaking only in English. In 1979, at the age of 49, she graduated from Fort Lewis College in Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts degree and became a successful accountant at a major gas company. On April 3rd, 1987 she proudly became a US citizen.

Rebecca was a very devout woman, and placed family and faith at the forefront of her life at all times, living with her son and grandchildren for many years after her husband died. She was a simultaneous blend of serious and silly, always full of stories for her grandchildren. Close family members described her as tenacious, fiery and independent, with a deep-rooted faith in family. In addition, she was an advocate of supporting minorities in the United States during tumultuous times of inequality and segregation.

Rebecca is survived by her sons, Albert Metcalf of New Hampshire and Russell Metcalf of Marquette; 4 grandchildren; as well as siblings that reside in Mexico.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 19th at 10 a.m. in St. Michael Catholic Church with the Rev. Gregory Heikkala officiating. Burial will take place in Santa Fe, New Mexico at a later date.

Canale-Tonella Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting Rebecca’s family where memories and condolences may be shared at canalefuneral.com