Leota Ida Becker was born on January 7, 1911. There has been some confusion about Leota's middle name. Town records state "Ida", but Leota's sister Alda believes she may have changed it to "Isabelle" in school. Regardless, when Leota married George Carmichael, she adopted her maiden name as her middle name. Leota was affectionally known as "Becky" to her family. Although I never met her, she is the subject of a family story that I heard many times throughout my childhood. My grandmother, Jean Marquardt used to tell me: "Aunt Becky was so thrifty, she used to butter her corn with her bread."
After marrying George, Leota became mother to 5 little girls: Georgia, Joanne, Paula, Mary and Susan.
Leota died at the young age of 59. Georgia sent me a copy of the obituary from the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. It reads: "MRS. GEORGE CARMICHAEL. NORTH COHOCTON -- Mrs. Leota B. Carmichael, 59, of Wayland Road, died in her home yesterday (November 16, 1970) after a long illness. She was a life resident of North Cohocton. She was a former clerk at the North Cohocton Post Office. She was a past president of the Wayland PTA and was a member of the Tri-Town Hobby Club. She also was a member and secretary of the North Cohocton Methodist Church. She leaves her husband, George; four daughters, Mrs. Georgia Feasel of Rochester, Miss Joanne Carmichael of Conesus, Mrs. Paula Carman of Whitney Point, and Miss Susan Carmichael at home; two grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Alda J. Becker of North Cohocton. Friends may call at the Baird Funeral Home in Wayland from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today where the service will be at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Burial in Lakeview Cemetery, Groveland. Friends may contribute to their favorite charity in her memory."
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| Leota "Becky" Becker Carmichael | Leota with her first daughter, Georgia. 1944. |
