Rebecca Bliefnick Obituary

Quincy native, Rebecca Bernadette Postle Bliefnick, was murdered in her home on February 23, 2023. She was just 41 years old. Despite the circumstances of her death, she is remembered for the life she cherished-a life of compassion, generosity, faith, and fierce love for her family.

Becky was born in Quincy, IL, attending Payson Seymour Elementary School followed by Quincy Notre Dame High School, where she was named valedictorian, the first of many academic and professional honors in her lifetime. She graduated cum laude from Quincy University with a bachelor's degree in biological science with a minor in chemistry and worked for Sanofi Aventis as one of their top-performing pharmaceutical sales representatives. But Becky always envisioned herself working hands-on in the medical profession, so it was no surprise when she left pharmaceuticals for a career in nursing-her true calling-where she was able to provide care and comfort to people on a daily basis.

Becky graduated summa cum laude from Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences, as well as receiving the Faculty Outstanding Senior Award. Even more remarkably, she gave birth to her third child during spring break of her senior year, only missing one day of school. Becky worked for Quincy Medical Group in gastrointestinal surgery before transitioning to Blessing Hospital's emergency room. During the COVID pandemic, she additionally worked as a travel nurse at both Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO, and Hannibal Regional Hospital in Hannibal, MO. In 2020 Becky was nominated for the international Daisy Award, which honors exceptional care given by extraordinary nurses. The nomination testimonial stated, "I got to kiss my husband and tell him how much I loved him all because of Becky. There are no words to express how grateful I am to her for what she did." Beyond her registered nurse (RN) credentials, she was also a certified trauma nurse specialist (TNS) and a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). At the time of her death, she worked at Blessing Hospital in vascular access and was working toward her nurse practitioner certification.

In addition to her career, Becky always made time for service. According to members of the St. Peter's Grade School Association where Becky volunteered for the last five years, Becky was "a tremendous asset" and "always willing to help or pitch in," whether it was coordinating the mother/Son event, planning the teacher conference luncheons, or coordinating the school's room mothers. Her love of animals led her to volunteering at Homeward Bound Waggin, a non-profit, all-volunteer animal rescue group. Becky was also slated to begin volunteering in the spring at QUEST Stables, which focuses on providing therapeutic riding services.

As dedicated as she was to her professional pursuits, her most profound devotion was to her family. Her boys were her world, her life's greatest gifts. She was the quintessential "boy mom," aptly illustrated by building, for Halloween, Transformers costumes that actually transformed, creating custom "first day of school" posters each year, and jumping all-in with fishing and frog hunting and anything sports. Her Catholic faith was of great importance, and she worked diligently to instill her love for God in her boys.

Becky's friends and colleagues regale countless stories of how she brightened their lives, going above and beyond with her time, energy, and generosity. From dropping in to check on a friend with a migraine, to dropping off a crib to a friend in need AND staying to help assemble it, she paid it forward-small gestures with lasting impact. She always found a way to highlight the achievements of others while never demanding the spotlight, although she deserved it often. Becky loved to laugh, and that laugh was contagious. Everyone that knew her remembers her random humor. She made the mundane fun. For the upcoming school Olympics, she envisioned an obstacle course ending with a Whoopee Cushion fart to stop the timer!

Becky's beautiful life will forever be cherished by her parents-Bill and Bernadette Postle; her children-Deacon, Greyson, and Arlin Bliefnick; her sister, brother-in-law, and nieces-Sarah, Bret, Cavan, and Emma Reilly; and her aunts, cousins, and extended family in Chicago, Colorado, and England. Becky said recently, "If the past year has reinforced any of my beliefs, it is that of the importance and value of family, and clearly I have the best one."

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, March 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Church of St. Peter. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Duker & Haugh.

In lieu of flowers, donations to a memorial fund to be established in Becky's name can be made to Bernadette Postle via check or to Becky's sister, Sarah Reilly, via Venmo @Sarah-Reilly-46 (last four digits 1175).