Anna Rock

Anna Rebecca (Becky) Fogelsanger Rock, 86, a lifelong resident of Franklin County and a teacher in Chambersburg schools for 25 years, died on April 17, 2013 after a prolonged struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on August 26, 1926, Becky was raised on a farm near Greencastle, Pennsylvania where her family also belonged to the Church of the Brethren. Following graduation from Greencastle High School, she attended Shippensburg State Teachers College (now Shippensburg University), graduating in three years with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1947. From 1947 to 1949 she taught at Greenhill High School in Fulton County.

In 1949 she married Wilbur (Web) Rock of Pond Bank, Pennsylvania, a decorated World War Two veteran and skilled welder. Tragically, in 1955 Web died following an automobile accident, leaving Becky to care for their five children through self-reliance and the loving active support of her extended family.

Following her husband’s death, she returned to teaching at Central Junior High School in Chambersburg where she taught algebra. In the summer months Becky rallied her children to pick sour cherries as a way to earn extra money for small vacations. In 1979 she was forced to retire from teaching after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

With early retirement, Becky devoted much of her energies to her children and their families. She also found much time to pursue her love of crafts and handwork, spending many hours knitting, crocheting, and braiding rugs, and winning many blue ribbons at Franklin County Fairs.

Becky was good for her family and for Chambersburg. She was a strong and courageous woman in the face of life events that were terribly significant for the community of Franklin County and the Rock family, events that resulted in the tragic loss of lives and that were profoundly sad for all.

Often self-effacing, she cared deeply for others in ways where she did not draw attention to herself. Being a mother and grandmother remained her greatest joys.

Becky was the daughter of Fred Fogelsanger and Vertie Hartman Fogelsanger, one of six children. She was preceded in death by her husband Web, her sister Elsie Rhodes, her infant sisters, Dorothy and Edna, her grandson Eric Stocum, and her great granddaughter Olivia Bucher. She is survived by her brother David Fogelsanger, her sister Marie Everly, her sons Dennis Rock and Gary Rock, her daughters Teresa Stocum, Cathy Bucher and Sherry Rock, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Memorial donations may be made to Menno Haven Retirement Communities or to Heifer International (www.Heifer.org).