Rebecca Nowling

Rebecca “Becky” Rudy Nowling was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Becky passed away at home surrounded by loved ones on September 4, 2021 at age 64, after an admirable battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born December 13, 1956 in Wilmington, Delaware to Dennis and Jeanne Rudy. She married her high school sweetheart, Jeffery Lee Nowling, on August 20, 1978.Becky was the consummate caregiver, compassionate friend, detailed planner, and passionate debater. She spent her professional career as a registered nurse practitioner, caring for critical care patients at the Emory University Hospital neuro ICU, serving the underserved and advocating for second chances at the Georgia Department of Corrections Gateway Diversion Center, and teaching the next generation of nurses at Georgia Perimeter College Nursing Skills Lab (now part of Georgia State University). Despite her impressive resume, she would tell you her most important and rewarding job was that of mother, wife, and grandmother.We could go on and on about her many admirable qualities (unconditional love, generosity, willing to drop anything to help others…), her quirks (the number of pillows she liked to sleep with, her frugality, her many hand-written notes found on paper scraps throughout the house…), memories of epic trips, and everyday love. But, in typical, methodical Becky-fashion, she created a music playlist (https://spoti.fi/361LpfR) and wrote her own words: Instead of a funeral or other service, I ask that you spend a few moments considering my life, and maybe listening to a song or 2 (see playlist) that meant something to me. Then remember the fondness & love that I held for all of you…and move on into the happiness of your continuing lives. I will simply offer a few comments. First, from “An Unquiet Mind”, by Kay Redfield Jamison, she says “We all build internal sea walls to keep at bay the sadnesses of life and the often overwhelming forces within our minds…..But love is the ultimately more extraordinary part of the breakwater wall; it helps to shut out the terror and the awfulness, while, at the same time, allowing in life and beauty and vitality.” Love is a “sustainer, renewer, and protector.” Know that as family and friends, you have provided the safe harbor for me whenever I needed it. Your love has sustained me through all of my wonderful years and I am much in your debt. Thanks for a job well-done and much appreciated…and continue to provide safe harbors for one another.I believe this scripture captures the essence of that most important ingredient in human life. It is from 1 Corinthians 13:4 and 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” And… “These three things endure: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.”Becky is survived by her husband, Jeff; her brother, Steven Rudy; her sisters, Debbie Brass and CJ Pace; her son, Michael Nowling; her daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Stephanie, Stephen, and Claire Berrier; and her many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her “second mom” mother-in-law, Claire Nowling. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, ACLU, Planned Parenthood, or the non-profit of your choice. Per Becky’s wishes, there are no services planned at this time.Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.Read Obituary