Louise Elvira Becker

Louise Elvira Giovane Becker, age 90, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2023, at Three Links Care Center due to complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. Luisa (Louise) Elvira Giovane, was born on February 2, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Gilda Felisone Giovane (of Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Francesco Giovane (of San Marco Argentano, Italy). The seventh of eight children, with many uncles and aunts nearby, she grew up with large family gatherings as the norm. She graduated from the School of Industrial Arts in New York City which is where she acquired her life-long love of painting. She attended Brooklyn College, graduating in 1957 with a B.S. in geology. It was while a student at Brooklyn College that she met her future husband, Gordon S. Becker, also a geology major. They married on June 15, 1957, in Brooklyn, and began their lives together in Washington, D.C., where Gordon was employed by the Army Map Service. They returned to Brooklyn a few months later so Gordon could accept a position with Gulf Oil. In October 1958, they welcomed their first child, Anthony David. In 1959, they returned to Washington and settled in Bethesda, Maryland, when Gordon returned to the Army Map Service. Louise attended the University of Maryland taking courses in education in the mid-1960s with the intention of becoming a high school science teacher. Instead of becoming a teacher, in 1966 she was hired as a science policy analyst by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. It was here that she began her career, developing expertise as a pioneer in computer privacy and information security. In 1971, Louise and Gordon welcomed their second child, Elvira Kris. Following Elvira’s birth, Louise returned to CRS where she was instrumental in helping draft the Privacy Act of 1974, for which she was commended by President Gerald Ford. She continued at CRS until 1983 when she accepted a position with the Institute for Defense Analysis. Louise later began her own consulting firm, also in information security. In 1989, Louise and Gordon, both fully retired, relocated to Asheville, North Carolina. There they enjoyed a long and happy retirement, making many new friends. They were active members of many civic and social organizations, and Louise often presented her watercolors at area art shows. Together they traveled extensively, often visiting family. Their travels took them several times to Italy, Germany, and Canada. Louise particularly enjoyed keeping in touch with her cousins abroad calling, writing, and emailing frequently in both Italian and English. Gordon passed away in 2015, and in 2017 Louise relocated to Northfield, Minnesota, to be closer to family. Louise is survived by her son, Anthony Becker, and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Judge, of Northfield, Minnesota; granddaughter, Emily Judge-Becker [and partner Madeline Dall] of Minneapolis; grandson, Cameron Judge-Becker and wife, Gwendolyn Polich of Elmwood, Illinois; daughter Elvira Wolk, son-in-law Jonathan, and grandson Logan of Ashburn, Virginia; brother, Frank Giovane, and sister-in-law, Elizabeth of Lottsburg, Virginia; many nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews, and cousins in the U.S., Canada, Italy, Germany, Argentina, and Australia. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; siblings, Phillip Aiello, Millie Garcia, James Giovane, Rita Giovane, Gilda Giovane, and Michael Giovane; and nephews John Garcia and Frank Giovane, Jr. The family wishes to express its special thanks to the staffs of Three Links Care Center – Pathways, Brighton Hospice, Mille Lacs Health System, and Home Instead for their dedication and compassion in caring for Louise these past years. Louise will be interred with Gordon in the Western North Carolina Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, North Carolina. A memorial service will be held at the cemetery chapel on August 21, 2023, at 2:00. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

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Louise Elvira Becker

February 3, 1933 - July 19, 2023