Rebecca M. Wardlaw

Rebecca M. Wardlaw, 87, of Waverly, passed away Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. Per Rebecca’s wishes, cremation has taken place and no services will be held at this time.

Memorials may be directed to the family of Rebecca Wardlaw.

Rebecca Marcella (Roque) Wardlaw was born on May 31, 1938, in Pueblo, Colorado. Her parents were Pauline (Lopez) Roque and Benito Roque. She graduated from Pueblo Central High School in 1956. She joined the Marine Corps out of High School and completed Basic Training and served as a switchboard operator in Paris Island, South Carolina. She met and married Jim Wardlaw in 1958, and together they had four children, Pauline, Clifford, Robert (Leigh Ann) and John (Erica).

Mom loved gardening, cooking for her family, crafting, and most of all being a grandmother. Grandchildren Bryant, Amy and Molly Arns, Leah, Megan, Meredith Wardlaw, David and Kate Wardlaw, John Henry, Jared and MacKenzie Wardlaw got to know a person born to hug and comfort. Her most precious memories were with her family, taking road trips in the summer to Colorado to see family, picnics in the mountains and homemade meals of fresh tortillas made by her mother, Pauline. Becky also was a sewer who made quilts, afgans, and blankets for families and friends. She enjoyed making her lawn beautiful with flowers and plants of all assortment. She loved watching movies and popcorn. She would take us to the drive in to watch all the Planet of the Apes movies, with a huge paper grocery bag of popcorn. We saw True Grit at the Drive In in Florida.

Becky was a great player of cards, Chinese checkers, scrabble, and occasionally, monopoly, and she would laugh and be happy. In the morning, she would make the most delicious breakfast. Mom was a wonderful soul who sought close relationships with family and gave love as she could. She was preceded in death by both her mother and her father, sons Cliff and John; and grandson Jared. She will be missed. Vaya con dios, mama.