Rebecca A. McCandless

Rebecca A. “Becky” McCandless of Nashville, passed away all too soon on Thursday evening, January 30, 2020 at IU Hospice House in Bloomington, after a brave but brief battle with cancer. She was 59 years old.

By her side, was her daughter, Jennifer Harter and several of Becky’s close friends.

She was born February 13, 1960, in Indianapolis, to her parents, the late Samuel P. and Donna E. (Brown) McCandless. Becky was a native of Nashville and graduated in 1978 from Brown County High School. She went on to earn her Licensed Practical Nursing Degree from Ivy Tech in Columbus. After residing in Columbus for many years, Becky returned to Brown County in 2019.

Becky was a victim of Arachnoiditis, an inflammatory condition of the arachnoid mater or 'arachnoid', one of the membranes known as meninges that surround and protect the nerves of the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. She was a strong advocate for Arachnoiditis research and education and was a very active member of the Arachnoiditis Society. Becky was also a strong advocate for the use of medicinal cannabis, which helps decrease pain, inflammation and muscle control problems.

She loved caring for her parakeets, cockatiels and her two cats, “Kitty and Kali”. Becky was an animal lover and enjoyed feeding the birds, racoons and squirrels on her property. Becky also enjoyed mushroom hunting, spending time with her family & friends and helping others in need.

She will be remembered as being warm and kind, generous to a fault, and quick to laugh.  

Becky is survived by her children, Jennifer Harter-Merriman and Brandon Roberts; uncles, Tim (Cheryl) Birch, Richard (Patty) Birch and Charles (Karen) Brown; aunt, Paula (Baron) Hansen; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Tamara Lynn McCandless on May 20, 2018; and a cousin, Deborah Robinson.

An open house to celebrate Becky’s life will be held on Saturday, February 29th from 2-5 p.m. in the Priness Room of the Abe Martin Lodge in the Brown County State Park. Please enter the park through the West Entrance. Cremation services have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Becky to the Adhesive Arachnoiditis Research & Education Project, 336-338 S. Glendora Ave. West Covina, CA 91790 or the Sycamore Land Trust, PO Box 7801, Bloomington, IN 47407 -- https://sycamorelandtrust.org/donate/ 

Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the McCandless family at www.meredith-clark.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rebecca A. McCandless, please visit our floral store.