Beckett Murphy Rodgers, affectionately known as “Beck” or “Becky” to her friends, peacefully departed on January 10, 2024, surrounded by her husband and three children after bravely battling Huntington’s Disease. Born on September 18, 1946, in New London to the late W. Vinton and Prudence Murphy, Beck’s memorial service will be held on February 17 at 10:00 AM in the Mystic Congregational Church, followed by a reception at the Groton Long Point Yacht Club.
Beck’s journey began when she met her future husband, Thomas “Jack” Rodgers, on Groton Long Point’s beach at the age of 18. They married on August 23, 1969, and after residing in Fairfield and Old Lyme, they retired to Groton Long Point in 2001.
A UConn graduate in 1968 with a B.S. in nursing, Beck earned her master’s from Yale University Nursing School in 1972, becoming one of the nation’s first pediatric nurse practitioners.
Her impactful career saw her create the Spina Bifida Clinic at Yale New Haven Hospital, transforming the lives of babies with severe spinal defects. Beck’s approach to healthcare emphasized not only treating medical issues but also supporting patients in navigating life. Passionate about death with dignity, she testified against a 1982 Connecticut bill criminalizing the right to die for terminally ill babies.
Joining Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut in 1990, Beck served as a visiting nurse until her 2008 retirement. Over 18 years, she assisted diverse patients, from the elderly to those with AIDS, cancer, or Down Syndrome. Beck’s unique ability to see beyond illnesses endeared her to many, providing warmth and care that eased the burden for patients and families during their final days.
For more details, the full obituary can be found in today’s New London Day newspaper and the comments section below. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to organizations supporting Huntington’s Disease research.
