Rebecca "Becky" Bardo Prater, age 54, of Clermont, Florida, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 4, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Becky was born on February 19, 1971, in Fairborn, Ohio, to Ofelia (Sanchez) and the late Leobardo Lopez. She grew up in Fairborn and went on to live in several places that each left a mark on her life: Phoenix, Arizona; Kailua-Kona, Hawaii; and eventually Clermont, Florida, where she made her home.

She was a devoted administrative assistant whose quiet strength, sharp mind, and warm spirit made a lasting impact on everyone she worked with. Outside of work, Becky was an active member of her community. She found joy and purpose in movement, especially running. She was a proud member of the Big Island Running Company and Dash run groups, where she formed lasting friendships and inspired others with her determination and energy.

Becky lived a life defined by curiosity, courage, and deep appreciation for the beauty of the world. She watched the sun set over the Grand Canyon and stood in the mist of Niagara Falls. She hiked the heights of Pike's Peak and Mont Blanc, biked the legendary slopes of Alpe d'Huez, and swam with dolphins and manta rays in the clear waters of Kailua Bay.

Her travels took her across continents, from the historic ruins of Pompeii and the Roman Forum to the bustling crossings of Tokyo and the elegance of the Tuileries Garden. She floated down Venice's Grand Canal, wore a mask at Carnival, and blew glass in Murano. In art and architecture, she found inspiration: the Sistine Chapel, the Last Supper, The Girl with the Pearl Earring, and the Mona Lisa, all etched into her memory.

She stood before the Colosseum, Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, and the Statue of David. She crossed famous bridges, Brooklyn, Ponte Vecchio, and Pont Neuf and rode The Pirates of the Caribbean in four Disney parks across the world. Becky cheered at the Tokyo Dome, witnessed Olympic greatness in Paris, and strolled the markets of Marienplatz and the streets of Old Bruges.

She climbed volcanoes, saw lava flow from Kilauea, made snow angels in Montenegro's Durmitor Range, and looked up in awe at the Milky Way from Mauna Kea. She toasted life with limoncello in Sorrento, mulled wine in Munich, tequila in Nogales, and a sandwich from All'antico Vinaio in Florence. She stood at the southernmost point of the U.S., and finished the Ironman World Championship, proof of her determination and spirit.

Becky didn't just visit the world, she embraced it. She saw, tasted, climbed, swam, laughed, and learned, always with open eyes and an open heart.

Above all, Becky was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, the greatest journey of all. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her beloved husband and high school sweetheart, Kevin Prater; her children, Christopher and Allyson, whom she adored beyond measure; her brother, Michael Lopez; her cherished nieces and nephews: Alec Lopez, Tyler Fleck, Wesley Fleck, and London Prater-Piles and her in-laws, Bob and Sharon Prater.

Becky lived her life with grace, grit, and generosity. She had a quiet but powerful presence, never one to demand attention, but always someone you noticed. Whether cheering at the finish line, supporting her family, or facing illness with remarkable strength, she showed us how to live with heart.

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Becky's legacy lives on in every step taken with purpose, every moment shared in love, and every life she touched with her gentle, enduring spirit.