Orphan's Song

Jean Becker’s entry into the work world began at an early age during World War II, when most girls were thinking about playmates and dolls. As an eight-year-old orphan living at the Kinderfreund Children’s Home in New Jersey, Jean began her career as errand girl for an elderly woman who paid Jean a dime each time she ran grocery errands. A resourceful Jean used the money to buy savings stamps for the war effort. Years later at Montclair Teachers College, she earned money as a basketball referee. Continuing in the educational field, she taught and volunteered to help handicapped children acquire necessary services, working with legislators and raising funds. In 1980 she founded and operated a cooking school and gourmet shop in St. Charles, Illinois, a Chicago suburb, where she also co-hosted a weekly radio cooking show. Later Jean became executive director of the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau. She published the first St. Charles Visitors Magazine, an award winning 40-page pictorial guide to the city. Another one of her well-known projects was the restoration of a 1968 Leland double-decker British bus. She also created and implemented the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival, recognized as one of the top 100 events in the country. For her outstanding achievements, Illinois governors Thompson and Edgar presented Jean seven annual awards for her excellence in promoting tourism. Jean has been married to Joe for over 50 years. They enjoy staying in touch with their four children and six grandchildren. These days Jean serves as a keynote speaker and trainer for professional organizations at meetings and conventions. Her first edition of An Orphan’s Song, published in 2004, has attracted media attention, with photo feature stories in Chicago, New Jersey, and Florida newspapers. Jean has appeared on WGN-TV, a nationwide station, as well as local cable TV and radio. An interview with Dave Barrett of CBS radio was aired nationally.Becker, Jean is the author of 'Orphan's Song ' with ISBN 9780977852505 and ISBN 0977852504.