The Tribute Page for Rebecca Lipkin

This has been one of the saddest days of my life, but it's been oddly exhilirating as well. Rebecca enriched my life in countless ways and it's an honor to count her as amongst one of my lifelong friends.

To truly capture the spirit, strength and humor of Rebecca, I urge to watch (or watch again) her highly acclaimed Cancer Diva Diaries, which aired on Al Jazeera some two years ago.

27 July 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVEBMqs7y9E

14 Sept. 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3U5qg7SuhP0&feature=fvsr

25 Jan. 2008: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnrniUdOLa0

No doubt many tears are being shed around the world, but through the tears, please remember the joy and laughter.

Thanks Jim for organizing this.

Rebecca's passing was staggering to so many people. She was supremely intelligent, kind, honest, dedicated and would do anything for her family and friends. She led a fascinating life as she travelled the world, and brought the plight of people on the far flung corners of the earth into the living rooms of us all.

Our mother has worn herself out caring for her, and I hope that she can get some rest.

I want to thank her doctors and nurses, who gave her the best of care in a valiant effort.

Special thanks to all of you who did so for her, so far away from family - I cannot say strongly enough how wonderful you have been.

Alan

Becca was an amazing aunt. She was funny, kind, honest and relatable. I will miss her so much... every time I see something funny or wacky, I immediately think of her because she loved silly stories. She was unbelievably intelligent, but careful that her intelligence wouldn't intimidate others.

Becca will be missed by so many people. Everyone who met her is better for it.

Everyone has been so amazing with their words of compassion.

Stephie

I've lost a guiding light.

Rebecca was a work colleague. We didn't work very closely together, nor very often, and I didn't really know her that well, but none of that was necessary for me to have benefited many times from her uplifting presence, joy for life, and great sense of humour. Our all too infrequent work related exchanges and discussions in the office were always a pleasure, and made me smile. My condolences to her family and many friends.

Rebecca was a truly amazing person. I'm so grateful to have known her. She will be greatly missed. All my condolences to the Lipkin family.

Though I knew Rebecca only six months, it may as well have been six or sixteen years.

You could tell within six minutes that here was a wonderful person.

She was as fiercely loyal and compassionate to her friends as she was passionate and talented about her craft of journalism - and the network she represented so well, Al Jazeera English.

She passed on her enthusiasm and knowledge unselfishly to colleagues both senior and junior. As I said yesterday to one of the youngsters she nurtured and groomed, Rebecca will live on through their lives and careers.

That's a special legacy.

To the Lipkin family and Rebecca's legion of friends, my sincere condolences.

Rebecca Lipkin was a joyous woman - generous, funny and kind beyond belief.
I first met her in April 2005 at a weekend organised by Paul Gibbs and we hit it off right away. I learned when I needed a trusted word - symapathetic or just plain straight talking Rebecca would be there.
I was devastated for her when she first was diaganosed but her bravery and courage in the face of her cancer was truly inspirational. We laughed and we cried together.
Rebecca I will never forget you.You taught me and many others the value of dignity and love. Soar free.
Much love
Maire

I didn’t know Rebecca for long, just six months or so, but from the moment I arrived at AJE she really went out of her way to make me feel welcome and to share her friendship, knowledge and wisdom. I soon realised this generosity of spirit was typical of an extraordinary person, but that it was all the more remarkable given everything that she had to cope with in her own life. She was so joyful, warm-hearted and considerate and had the most wonderfully mischievous sense of humour – and such a fantastic laugh! She was also a terrific colleague, journalist and producer, full of insight, intelligence, imagination and brilliant advice. Like so many people, I feel privileged and honoured to have known her. My thoughts go out to her family and friends.
God bless you, Rebecca

A truly lovely woman. A prodigious talent who was amazingly generous when sharing her ideas and praise, a rare gem.

My fondest thoughts are with her family and many friends at this very sad time.

Thank you Rebecca.

I have lost my mentor, my inspiration and my good friend. Her intelligence, her wit and her humour were just unparalleled. I am so blessed to have had Rebecca in my life. My thoughts are with the Lipkin family. I will miss her terribly, I already do.

I will never forget Rebecca's joy and zest for life - and I will miss her terribly. She was a colleague who became a dear friend to me - and also to countless others. We shared a love for pugs, Bruce Springsteen's music, and tv news. My heart goes out to the Lipkin family and her many friends.

It's been said before but can't be said enough times .. Rebecca touched so many lives in so very special ways. One of my most treasured memories will always be when back in the 80's she invited me to share a Passavor dinner with the Lipkin family. Their warmth touched everyone, I felt totally welcomed and at ease with them. Just last week with her usual wit she commented on the NY 4th of July pictures I posted on Facebook. Today it gives me great comfort to know that she enjoyed them. Dear Becky I will always remember your wonderful smile and the warmth that you radiated. My love and condolences to Gladys, Harriet and the rest of the Lipkin family and your extended family of friends. We will miss you forever !

Becca was kind and adventurous and giving and loving. She had a unique curiosity about life that took her to all parts of the world, meeting the best of them all. She knew few boundaries and her brilliance seemed endless and unmatched. She brought so many people together with her joy for life. And she was my friend and a light to all. I was so blessed to have known her. Besitos from your amiga que nunca te olvidara.

Rebecca gave of herself so easily and authentically. She was a great co-worker -- smart, talented, fun, empathetic -- and great for those brief "Am I Crazy?" conversations that can keep you going during stressful times. Her spirit cannot be defeated. My heart goes out to her wonderful family, and to all of her friends who will miss her, as I will.

Rebecca,
you will be missed by so many people. I am sure, wherever you are, you can feel this love and friendship you've inspired. Thank you for being such a wonderful person.
RIP,
Elizabeth

I will treasure Rebecca in my heart for the rest of my life. I owe her so much. God Bless you Rebecca. You are in a peaceful, solemn place now. Your life touched the hearts of so many. Your soul is now free to find a new home...
I love you dearly

Rebecca was a great colleague and friend. She will be greatly missed.

Rebecca you will be greatly missed. Thank you for the inspiration, the advice and for being such a great listener. You are in our hearts.

I will so miss that gentle, soulful laugh.

I new Rebecca only very briefly, but like everyone, she made an immediate and powerful impact upon me. I was terrified of visiting her office for the first time but she immediately put me at ease and really made me laugh about the ridiculous problem I was trying to sort out. Rebecca’s kindness and strength was an inspiration and something that I will draw upon. I only wish I could have known her longer, I feel that I have been robbed of someone truly special.

With my deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

Sarah

One crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name...

Rebecca will be missed as a colleague and an important member of the management team in London.

I was particularly touched by her bravery when she spoke to me about her fight against the disease that took her life. Her show of bravery and courage had a profound and positive effect on all who knew her. She will be missed by all.

I hired Rebecca for Al Jazeera - and they don't come any better. We disagreed on just about everything, and she was usually right of course. But we agreed on one lasting thing, and that was that we would always be friends. It was impossible not love her instantly. And I still do. She was a production power-house. She last came to my home on New Year's Eve where she played the piano for over two hours to a lot of indifferent songsters. 'What can you play?', I asked, 'Anything from Beatles to Beethoven.' And she could. And she did. She just made it up as she went along. As I say, she could and she did. Great lady.

Rebecca was such a unique personality. She had an amazing ability to make those around her smile and feel great about themselves. Her courage and strength have always been an inspiration to me and will continue to be.

Rebecca was so kind in giving me comfort and courage when my husband lost his battle for cancer. Whenever I asked her how she was her reply was always the same 'but how are you doing now?'. She was a very speciallady and my heart goes out to her family and friends. God bless her.

Rebecca produced many ABC News reports for me and always made me look better than I deserved. She was professional, easy to work with and a really wonderful individual. We lost her much too young.

In high school, Rebecca was fearless. Not in a sky-diving, frozen-mountain-summitting sort of way. No, more in a sass the teachers and have them love you still sort of a way; a hey let's go to Canada by train, then crash a hairdresser's convention and help ourselves to libations sort of way. She was the warmest, funniest, quickest person I knew.

Heart-breaking news. Rebecca always had time to offer me guidance, support and encouragement when I started at Al Jaz. Always enjoyed her company - whether in the gallery or at a Sue Phillips party. My thoughts go out to Rebecca's family.

One of the most memorable times with Rebecca was spending a week in her Prague apartment with friends Dennis and Mary. We had a Passover Seder in her kitchen. She told me that I will remember this seder for the rest of my life. Rebecca was right.
I will miss her. Rebecca was a warm and loving spirit, along with being one of the most brilliant people I've ever known.

I was in London for the weekend when I got the message that Rebecca had passed away - and realised immediately that the coffee she and I kept promising to have together "the next time" I was through never happened... and now never will.
If that isn't a lesson for me to pay more attention to my friends, I don't know what is...
Rebecca was a wonderful person who never denied anyone a smile - no matter how bad things were. That made her an example we should all follow, as we work in an industry that so often feels like it takes more than it gives emotionally.
Rest in peace, Rebecca, you will be remembered and loved. xx

I get the feeling that Rebecca would be a bit red in the face with all the warm and fulsome tributes, but then to read through them anyone who knew her, even briefly, would know they were accurate, fair and most importantly, deserved. She was a warm human being, with charm a ready wit. As has been said previously, she loved the craft of journalism and we would often spend time talking about life on the road. News of her death, while not unexpected, still came as a shock because of brave fight and her poker face when asked about her condition. I'm glad I never played cards with her. The world is too short of good people to lose another one. Rebecca RIP. You will always be remembered with love and affection.

Regecca and I were colleagues at ABCNews, and for a couple years had offices near each other. Although not close friends, we were friendly and often shared the trials, tribulations and absurdities of network news life. one of those was that some people routinely confused us, delivering my mail to her or vice versa (go figure) and there was at least one editor who never could keep us straight. I might have been annoyed, but Rebecca always just laughed. All my heartfelt sympathy to her family and dear friends,
Beverley Lumpkin

Rebecca was smart, funny, self-deprecating and courageous. Her approach to her sickness was truly inspiring. I feel so lucky to have known her and I will miss her. My deepest sympathy to Rebecca's mother and the Lipkin family.

I'll always treasure our dinners at diCarlo's with Dennis and Mary. The food may not have been so great but the conversation and friendship certainly was. Rebecca's kindness, warmth and wit touched so many people. She will missed.

Rebecca was the first person at ABC to encourage me in my career. Later, she encouraged me to take a gamble and join Al Jazeera. She believed in me, and I trusted her. She was a good soul.

For me the thing I will remember most about Rebecca is that she was always looking out for others even when facing her own very difficult challenges - she was even doing this just a couple of weeks ago when I last spoke with her - she didn't give a hint of what she was going through herself but was checking on colleagues to ensure they were ok - we have all lost someone very special

The saddest day ended yesterday although I'm not sure I can measure how much less sad I feel today. I did have a thought this morning that I wanted to share with you:
She knew a lot of people, but what was always astounding about Rebecca is that she was hugely important to scores of them. She was aware of how much people wanted to be with her, and thought she was fun and funny, and I know that she loved that about herself! I'm not sure though, that she had any idea what a deep impact she had, that knowing her was like a correction, a realignment you could give yourself... "oh right THAT's how I'm supposed to live life, that's the attitude, that's the spirit to have". I'm not talking about how she was facing this disease, although of course that's where her attitude got it's biggest workout -- I mean in the everyday. Her example of how to be was a touchstone to not just her core group of friends; she was someone who could and did fundamentally change people who had much more casual relationships with her.

My favorite memory of Rebecca will be her annual Guy Fawkes party. The bonfire blazed so large you could see it from her front room, but for the best view of the fireworks you had to climb the ladder to the roof. Everyone was invited; no one was left behind. That meant Rebecca's dear elderly neighbor, a Polish woman well into her 80's was coming too. With Rebecca in front and me acting as the rear guard to make sure she didn't fall, Rebecca coaxed and cajoled this woman to the top to make sure she could participate. I think we were the last to leave that night too, the three of us staying to enjoy the brisk air and a last nip of something to keep us warm. That night is a microcosm of Rebecca for me. She blazed a bright energy that engulfed and soothed us all. Each of us was her closest friend when you were the one in her presence; each of us was on her mind even when far away. As a colleague she was always passionate, never abrupt, angry only when she was right to be, and always inclusive in sharing of knowledge and sharing of praise. She knew what to say when you needed advice-- and usually made you smile when she did so. Her desire to explore and to tell stories is unsurpassed by none, and we will all honor her by continuing to meet her expectations in journalism. My last email exchange with her was pretty consistent with many convesations with Rebecca -- she was offering help and advice to a younger colleague, she was inquisitive and caring about my family, and she was brave and forward looking in discussing her illness. I had no doubt she would make it, and I am devasted that she lost her battle. But none of us who have heard that laugh of hers will ever forget the mark she made on this planet and all the things she did to enrich each and everyone of us. I love you, Rebecca and I will miss you.

One of Rebecca's loving colleagues in London, Chris Tortise, is doing a 10K run to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. He's doing this in Rebecca's memory.

In the first four hours the site has been up, Chris has already received pledges in excess of 300 pounds.

Anyone who wants to sponsor Chris's run should click on the website above.

On behalf of Rebecca's family & friends, thank you Chris for this important and touching initiative.

What a great loss. Rebecca was always so full of joy and I feel lucky that our paths crossed as colleagues at ABC News. My heart goes out to everyone who was touched by Rebecca.

Rebecca's was an example of a life well lived. Our world needs more like her. My thoughts and prayers are with the Lipkin family.

Rebecca was kind to me at WABC-TV where we first me. She was kind to me in London when our paths crossed there. And when she was in the fight of her life, she took the time to be kind to me again.
But that is the sort of person she was. Whenever you saw her, you smiled.
Rebecca was easy to like. She was generous, giving and warm (and very funny). The world is a much better place for her having been in it. And I am so proud that she called me a friend.

Cancer Sucks...that's what the bracelet I wear says and no two words say it better.
So many places in the world feel the loss of Rebecca today. Family and friends are hurting. So is the NPR community of "My Cancer"/"Our Cancer"
where Rebecca blogged many times, sharing her journey in cancer world.
There is a tribute to her on today's
"Our Cancer" page...
She was a soldier. She knew her enemy and she faced it with bravery, humor, honesty and with the knowledge that some day the cancer would take her life.
That day came yesterday. In the night, as she slept.
You all remember Rebecca. She blogged here, sharing her battle with inflammatory brast disease many times.
She talked about living in cancer world overseas, in England.
Rebecca was a dear friend. Leroy and I
knew her well. Long before she joined the "My Cancer" family, she was just Rebecca, the talented producer, the complete journalist and our pal.
Her personality was bright and upbeat.
There was a laugh around the corner of every conversation with Rebecca.
I loved her visits to our home. We used to kid about those visits. I'd tell her the real reason she'd come by was just to eat my spinach dip. She loved that spinach dip.
When she was diagnosed, the conversations were more serious, but she never lost her compass.
She planned to live as long and as well as she could. She'd ask Leroy where he found his courage to do that.
Those conversations, I will always believe, helped Rebecca live with gusto until her death last night.
I'm going to miss her emails. I'm going to miss our conversations. I'm going to miss my friend.
______

My sympathies to the entire Lipkin family.
Rest easy now, Rebecca.

My Last walk with Rebecca

I worked with one of the most beautiful hearts in the world and Rebecca will truely missed. I left aljaz just over a month ago and Heading in a similar direction on an amazingly gorgeous day with Rebecca walking through hyde park, she gave me gave me a long inspirational talk regarding my progression before going our separate ways.
My condolences for your loss My thoughts ad prayers go out to the Lipkin family and those extended.
God bless her soul and May she rest in peace.
Joe

I am devastated. I can't even process the fact that Becca is gone. She was one of my best and closest friends, the finest producer I had in over 30 years of network television journalism. We won a dozen awards for our stories on social issues for the American Agenda Series on ABC's "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings." The stories we produced were serious and sad. How did we deal with that? We laughed our way through our coverage. I could make her crack-up so easily. She and I could find humor in almost any situation, and still produce stories that brought tears to our viewers' eyes.
As a proud Jew, she never experienced Christmas and wanted to. So one year I invited her to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my family. On Xmas Eve, we did a lot of cooking, went to church, visited the Christmas displays around Washington, DC, and came home to egg nog and rum cake. Christmas morning we got up early, put on the Christmas music, and rushed to "see what Santa had left for us." She was thrilled with her stack of presents and enjoyed opening them and seeing what was in her Christmas stocking. Finally, there was the huge Christmas dinner with other family members. After it was all over and I asked Rebecca what she thought of our Christian holiday, she said she liked the presents, the tree and the food, but she thought there was just too much talking and singing about Jesus. "If you could just leave that part out, it would be all good," she said with a grin. That was Rebecca. True to herself and true to her beliefs.
It hurts that the last communication we had was an e-mail from her chastising me for not staying in closer touch with her.
What you didn't know dear Becca was that I felt so helpless and speechless. I didn't know what to do or say. I couldn't deal with your illness even while you were valiantly battling it every day. I am so ashamed. I was thinking more of myself than of you. Will you forgive me? (She always admonished me, "This is not about you. Everything is not about you." She could always set me back on my heels.) May you be at peace, my sweet Rebecca. I love you. To your wonderful, supportive family and Gladys, the best Mom in the world, my thoughts and prayers are with them.

Rebecca Lipkin was quite simply one of the nicest, kindest, most intelligent and thoughtful people I ever met. Working with her was a joy . Being her friend a privilege. I think we all feel short-changed that she has left us so soon.
But weren't we lucky to have known her.
My deepest sympathies are with her family.

Rebecca gave warmth and smiles to all who knew her. I knew her professionally but felt an instant kinship - something usually reserved for friends one has known away from the office, for a long time. It has been said, but bears repeating: we have lost a wonderful soul who made life better for the rest of us. Love and sympathy to the family of the great Rebecca Lipkin. Tom

Rebecca was one of those rare people who made you feel comfortable from the moment you met her. She exuded wit, intelligence and her graciousness. She will be missed but never forgotten.

To my dear college roommate, thank you for teaching me how to laugh at the absurd moments of every day and to not take myself too seriously. Thank you for Joni and Dan Fogelberg, and bagels at Zabars. My heart aches for the suffering you have endured with such grace.

I am so grateful for the care given by her friends and family. I know Becca felt surrounded by love the whole way through. I send love and prayers to Gladys, Harriet, Alan and the rest of the Lipkin family, to Dori, Jim and Robin.

I was lucky enough to know Rebecca as a result of my friendship w/one of her colleagues and friends and our common beach house on LI in the '80's. As typical of me, I often found it difficult to just relax and enjoy - Rebecca had a way indeed of completely accepting you the way you were while gently prodding you to move on. I was lucky enough to see her at a joyous occasion this spring - the bat mitzvah of the daughter of her close friend Melissa - I will always recall the beautiful smile she flashed me when she turned around in the chapel. How emblematic of her!

My deepest condolences to her family and friends - a life well lived though not nearly long enough.

Dearest Becca,



It would amuse you to know that I required the assistance of my own child to log my entry onto your Tribute Page. You were constantly teasing me about my technical ineptitude. But you were also constantly thanking me, thanking everyone, for our moral support, our gifts, our visits, our commiseration when you got The Big C, as John Wayne used to call it. It’s not just your sense of humour, your wisdom, your intelligence, your complete absence of self pity that made you so special, dearest Becca.It was that huge, generous spirit of yours, the kind of spirit that had you sending presents and notes in RETURN for presents and notes sent to you. Though YOU were the one fighting this damn disease .



You refused to complain, at all, about anything. And I saw you cry only once, in spite of the pain and the fear and the terrible uncertainty that you have lived with for the past two years.

Your last message to me was just typical. ‘Great food, great company, love you,’ you wrote at 7:37 AM after I had been to your house for dinner the night before. (Okay, Carolyn Durand brought all the food and I made a revolting sticky cheesecake which no-one, except your beloved Mum ,was tempted to touch).

‘Good God, are you at your desk already?’ I wrote back, saying that it was great to see you in such good form, after your latest chemical assault. We planned to meet again on my return from vacation in France, and I was absolutely sure that I would hear your lovely voice again, and see that noble, smiling face.

I’m so grateful now that I added another line in that message to you, my dear friend. What I wrote was, ‘You’re a brave, beautiful girl.’



Je t’embrasse tres fort,

Hilary

It's just tragic. Rebecca was one of the funniest and smartest and kindest people I have ever known. She always had a joke, a quip, a smile, an offer of generosity for friends.
I'm better for knowing her. She made the world a better place.
I am thinking of her family today and I am thinking of her spirit and wondering where today she had spread her wings.
Adaora

Rebecca Lipkin believed in me when I was an ABC News cub. Everything written about her here is spot on. Above all, she was a very decent human being.

I first met Rebecca when I came to London from India to do a bunch of stories for Al Jazeera.There are many things I will remember her for but the most important thing will be her joi-de-vivre.I dedicate my poem to her.

When I am gone away.
What will I be?
A page in your memory?
A thought in your reverie?
A silent step by your side?
Or, on the shores of your heart a small tide?

Jim, what a lovely idea. Becca always hated it when I was sappy or sentimental, but it's hard not to be right now. I keep trying to think of our silly jokes, or our Budapest trip, or our last meal in London with Hugh and friends hanging out till 2am talking and laughing - miss her already.
So I've decided that Becks is hanging out with Walter Cronkite and her old friend Peter Jennings swapping stories and having a great time. I can't imagine anything she'd like better?

Rebecca was a great traveling companion, because wherever she was, she tasted. It could be the newest cuisine of foams and frosts or the oldest mud hut in Pakistan. Rebecca would be out there, asking in her smiling, inquiring tone; sniffing out ideas and pastries, biting them, trying them, and making the whole day brighter from concept to espresso.
Only her intelligence could keep pace with her generosity.
To those who miss her most, her family, heartfelt condolences.

I am comletely devastated by the news of Rebecca's passing. It's so, so sad, and so unfair. When we chatted a couple of weeks ago she seemed so upbeat, so full of future plans. And she looked great. Such a shock. Rebecca was a truly wonderful, extra special person and we're all going to miss her terribly.

I did not know Rebecca very well but I did know her long enough to see that she was a very special person indeed.
She will be missed.

The only thing keeping me from tears is that I can't stop thinking of Becca's laughter. And I think she would want us to laugh.

I have enjoyed thinking of the many times the "Hilarity Cohorts", as we used to call ourselves, got together. From ordering her a Hindu meal on a flight to St. Martin once, to anytime she got behind the wheel of car, to a made up game called "pass the mighty string bean", hilarity ruled any time Rebecca was present.

She was a beautiful person, wise, courageous and absolutely hilarious. We will miss her presence, but cling to the tremendous memories. Thank you, Rebecca.





The

Thank you, Becca, for being your wickedly smart, talented, warm, generous, funny, irreverent and adventurous self. I always admired your ability to grab life, to travel widely, to make the most of every situation. When other producers were kicking and screaming about the possibility of having to learn to shoot their own video, you bought a camera and skipped off to eastern Europe on one of your great vacations. Thank you for inviting me to my first Passover seder with your wonderful family. Thank you for the laughs you, Dennis, Carole and I had with our little "dinner club." Remember when Katherine Graham's party waltzed in to Citronelle and took our reservation. . .and when the manager apologized with a bottle of champagne? Thank you for bringing happiness and joy and music to your friends. As others have said, you are a wonderful soul.

Such a sad day. I am lucky to have known and worked with Rebecca. My hearfelt sympathies to the Lipkin family and to all whom she touched so deeply.

So much to say about Becca, but I want to thank the people of Al Jazeera English for being such a fine employer and never making her feel guilty for any time she missed as a result of her illness. I am so impressed with the management of this company, and with the compassion they showed to my best friend during these past 2 years. I don't know of many other companies that would have shown such care and kindness.

Rebecca's brilliant light will shine brightly in the memories of those who loved her. She approached the world with enthusiasm, grace, fearlessness and joy. I am sure I was not one of Rebecca's very closest friends, but she always made me feel as if I were.
That was one of her many gifts.
Rebecca, you will be missed and you will be remembered.

Rebecca taught anyone fortunate enough to know her how to be a better person, simply through the steady and powerful example of her amazing life. She is so missed because so was so precious in every way that matters most.

I remember stealing away to a room (in a house that smelled of delicious home cooked food) to watch Fiddler on the Roof, which aired for Passover. Fiddler is one of my favorite movies, and I especially enjoyed watching it at Becca's family's house because they are such a wonderfully warm, close and loving family. They invited mom and me to join them on that special night for years, and it was lovely. Becca, you are so lovely. Thanks for being someone I could look up to and thanks for being such a good friend to my mom and to our family. I feel so lucky and grateful that we got to speak a few weeks ago. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Here's to you Rebecca----your graceful exit, your deep and far reaching life---the kind of humor, compassion and selflessness that leaves more than a mark....you've given inspiration....yesterday I was simply stunned and happy for you, today I weep for your loved ones and myself....a precious precarious thing we hold dear, this life on earth...thank you thank you for making it more wonderful.....hope there are pugs wherever you are.....LOVE, fish

Rebecca was one of the three best friends I've ever had. She was one of my college roommates at Brown. I guess I never thought the cancer thing was real, because I could not imagine a world without her in it. As everyone has posted, it was her wry wit that was her most endearing quality. We bonded in a restroom at a football game the first week of college when we both realized that neither of us understood football and that neither of us really cared to! It was her funny observations that day that made me realize I would love college. I thought of her as a sister. We used to sing Sister Sledge’s “We are Family”! One of the very best days of my life was the day she, Jim, Dori, Randi, and I went to a Joni Mitchell concert in the Berkshires. I always hoped we would retire near one another. I thought we could have many more nights of endless conversations listening to Joni.
To the Lipkins--thank you for taking me into your home as one of your own. I will always treasure the time I spent with you. I’m grateful that I got to see Becca and all of you this past December in Florida. When you are planning the service I hope you can fit a Joni song in. I am sure Dori would know which one would be best. Although it was not Becca’s favorite song, a fitting one might be “The Circle Game” or anything from the album “BLUE”.

Meg Scholl Scruby

Darling Rebecca...

What an inspiration you are to us all. Your tremendous courage, your humour and your amazing generosity of spirit are just some of the many things we love about you.

And it's so curious... my eyes are both filled with tears and crinkled up smiling, remembering your amusing asides, your laughter and your insight... because that's how you remain - Beautiful, smart, generous,
wisecracking, darling Rebecca.

Your family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.

Love you, miss you,
Sonia

I met Rebecca in person only once, a weekend meeting in London back in, maybe, 2005? After introducing myself in front of a bunch of people I didn't know, she came up to me afterwards and struck up a very genuine conversation. One word I could describe Rebecca: Genuine. She was the type of person you could meet once, and trust she was a good person. Someone who you could let your guard down in front of, and someone who would offer you trusted advice with no hidden motive - in a business where that is rare. That was the wonderful spell Rebecca cast on people. I know, I was a victim of it. Thankfully. Rest in peace Rebecca. I will always remember you, even though we actually only met once. Few people I can say that about. Gabriel

I met Rebecca when I was 14 and she was a bridesmaid at my brother's wedding in a tiny town in Missouri. She talked all the girls into having a hen night at what I think was a local truck stop with a dance floor. When I visited her in New York two years later, she took me to a lingerie party at Studio 54. I thought she was the coolest woman in the world. Which, of course, she was.

I feel so privileged to have known Rebecca, and doubly lucky that as often as she moved, we usually ended up in the same general vicinity. She could make me laugh more than anyone. And I admire the fact that she truly lived more fully than almost anyone I've ever met, even when she was sick. She worried most about how hard it was for her mother -- but then joked about how much Gladys enjoyed the hospital jello. She'd talk about what a drag the chemo was -- and then write to ask for a hotel recommendation in Paris. She had beautiful hands. She always had a funny story about her shoes. She was generous and endearing and, at the same time, the smartest person in the room.

My heart goes out to Rebecca's family. I'll miss her effervescence.

When we were little, Becca would often walk across the street to my house after she had eaten dinner to see what my mother had cooked for dinner. She would walk right up to our fridge and our cabinets and open them with no shyness to see what goodies were inside, knowing that my mother was more likely than Gladys was to have devil dogs, M&Ms, potato chips or pretzels. The Lipkins only had the classy stuff - Stella D'oro cookies or breadsticks.

I am bursting with memories that begin in childhood and go through last week. How lucky am I to have known this angel on earth my entire life? I miss her so much. I can't comprehend the silence.

Sad as it makes me to read these tributes, it is also beautiful to see how Becca was a person loved and respected by so many. I fully expected to see Becca return to Washington and add here my own deep sadness that I will not.

Dori is how I know Becca and even pre FB, Becca was in my life even from afar as I'd frequently hear from Dori about something Becca'd done or somewhere she'd been. I wish I could be inspired to live more as Becca seemed to but mostly I am left searching for the kind of spark and humor and love that Becca gave and that drew people to her. She certainly did a lot of living in the years she had.

They say you can tell a lot about a person from what's in their fridge. The time I visited Becca in London, I remember charcuterie from a recent visit to France and bagels from another recent visit to Florida. Loved that. I'm going to play Beethoven and the Beatles and probably an old Joni Mitchell record this week and think fondly of Becca.

A prayer as beautiful as the kaddish seems so apt to remember the beautiful person that was Rebecca Lipkin, aleha hashalom (may she rest in peace). Its a start.

My heart is broken,,,we barely worked together but even that brief few weeks of working in the same bureau ...and the few emails after many months here and there....brings a smile to my face remembering her great smile and generosity and big heart. We dont always see such big hearts at work. Mine is broken today.

Darling Becca

I think my favorite memory of you was the Rolling stones concert you dragged me to in London circa 2003. After kicking and screaming all the way to the stadium you made your promise come through and had us dancing - You knew all the words and I mouthed them after you religiously. Your life was can be exemplified by that because you were one that people followed and yours was a lifetime of optimism we can only aspire to. You are probably smiling now where you are because you made so many people dance at one point or another and always kept your promise through.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family

Love
Yael

So much has been said about Rebecca's credentials as a journalist and of course I agree. But what will stay with me most is the courageous and brave way she handled her illness. At a point when many of us would have turned bitter or hopeless, Rebecca managed to find in herself not just iron strength in her battle against the cancer, but also even more humanity, warmth and understanding of others than she had before. I deeply amdmired that and it continues to give me hope,
thank you Rebecca, in that you live on,
Juliana

There are a very few people in your life that you meet and you immediately know you will never meet anyone quite like them.

Rebecca was one of those people.

One of the most understated brilliant minds, radiating good energy, and giving. She will give you her time, her support, and your first professional break. Without even flinching.

And knowing her fearless humour, she is probably looking down upon all of us, ordering us to stop now! and have a jolly good time in her loving memory.

My most sincere sympathy to her family and friends.

Peter Herford, director of the William Benton Fellowship during the year that eleven of us fellows shared with Rebecca, writes from China:

"Rebecca Lipton's name is as magic as the person. Wherever I went in my CBS News career when I heard that Rebecca was there or nearby, the experience was going to be better, the humanity richer, the insights greater, and meaningfulness of the experience deeper. Rebecca was cast against the craft she practiced; she is the embodiment of who we learned to strive to be and away from the image of the heartlessness and cynicism that so easily inhabited so many of us." -- Peter

I have only had the privilege of meeting Rebecca twice, but I have to say that I believe that her energy, will always be with us. She had such a strong, loving energy and I will never forget her. I can see that she touched many people, the way she touched me.

The love and light in me, Saw the love and and light in Rebecca.

Namaste.

My heart goes out to her family and dear friends. Of which she had many.

Rebecca was a rascal. She had no respect for authority so being her boss was never dull.
She had an endearing way of admitting I was right without ever accepting she was wrong.
She told me on at least a dozen occasions: "Hey, you've got to let me do it my way. I've got cancer!"
So what was I supposed to do....?
She remains the only person I ever met
whose sarcasm was actually worth seeking.
She was witty, warm and wonderful.

Like Dori, it is the future silence that I can't get my head around: 25 years of chatting and joking and heartfelt talks -- that's over? I can't even put a period at the end of that sentence. I woke up thinking how Becca would want us to pay tribute here to technology. Texting and facebook and blackberry emails all kept our girl in touch, and it was a joy for her, to feel the love and share a joke no matter what was going on. Saturday we exchanged a lot of texts, a couple debating the relative merits of Skinny Cow 100 cal fudgesicles vs. Mars ice cream bars. My phone is full of messages that simply said "xoxoxo". I can't believe they will eventually disappear and not be replaced with some new txt from our girl.

I'm so sorry to hear of Rebecca's passing. She was such a strong person and I feel lucky to have gotten to know her. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.

I just learned of Rebecca's passing and I am so saddened. She was one of those people who made working in TV like a small, loving, dysfunctional, honest and laugh out loud funny family. She will be missed.

I worked with this crazy fun woman for nearly 3 years. Her enthusiasm and energy were contagious. Her door was always open to anyone that needed a word whether that be for work or personal reasons.She always had time. She seemed to become even more approachable since her diagnosis which, for me, makes her even stronger and braver. You are a star Rebecca. You will be very much missed but never forgotten.
All my love and deepest sympathy to her mother and family. Charlotte

Rebecca was always a mensch! I met her through friends and the Benton Fellowship at the U of C and followed her fascinating journalism and travel escapades around the world.

Our teenage son, Jake, was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma around the same time as Rebecca. We were stranded in children's hospital in Rome and inspite of being in the throws of chemo herself, she immediately sent more than a few contacts of friends and correspondents in Rome to help us out. Yes, always a mensch.

Rebecca and Jake also went into remission around the same time. The celebrations had hardly begun when we got the heart-breaking news that she had relapsed. Jake had the opportunity to meet her for the first time at the bat mitzvah of the daughter of our good friend Melissa.

Rebecca literally lit up congratulating him on his courage and success in beating cancer. It was all about Jake, nothing about her, as always.

We love your big heart, Rebecca. You're truly an inspiration to us all on handling illness with grace and life with amazing verve. We hate cancer for robbing us of your joy and intellectual gifts.

Oh, Bec. What a talent you were. Smart as a whip, but didn't crack the whip at anyone. And you could play anything...you'd just plunk down on the piano bench and start playing. So much fun at the beach house. So thirsty for life in all the ways it is lived the world over. You will be missed by so many.

INFORMATION FOR BURIAL / MEMORIAL AND DONATIONS


The burial will take place at Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York. A memorial service will follow at a later date at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington D.C.

For details on both the burial and the service, please contact Henry.Silberman@adaisrael.org or in Washington, D.C. at 202 362 4433 extension 144.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, accounting for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to:
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation, Houston Texas via this link:
http://www.eraseibc.com/67001.html

or:

Royal Marsden Hospital
Please make checks payable to:
The Royal Marsden Hospital
and write on the back:
Dr Stephen Johnston's Breast Cancer Research Fund
Checks should be posted to:
Mary Parry
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Fulham Road
London SW3 6JJ

So saddened by the news of Rebecca's passing. I worked with her years ago at ABC and she was not only a great producer who helped me become a better journalist but she was also a kind warm hearted funny person. As crazy as television journalism can get, Rebecca always had a great ability to take everything in stride and find the humor in it all.

My heart goes out to the Lipkin family.

I knew Rebecca only from our childhood but knew of her as an adult through her brother, Alan who from time to time, gave me a glimpse of who she was. Rebecca was obviously a remarkable individual as the comments above detail. How fortunate so many of you were to have known this outstanding woman.

Just as Dori rightly paid tribute to what an outstanding employer Al Jazeera has been to Becca, I wanted to say how wonderful everyone at the Royal Marsden was - in my handful of times there with B (far fewer than Steph or Robin!) every single member of staff from the receptionists to the nurse's aides and doctors were just wonderful. Spending a few hours with a nurse slowly pushing chemo into your IV line is a bonding experience - and typical Becca, even in the pain of those ice helmets, she'd eventually start making conversation and jokes, ask about their families or holiday plans. They made those hours pass in as enjoyable a manner as possible - which sounds strange, but they did. Even getting an MRI, they'd let friends sit in the room with the machine, just to be there.
It was and is an amazingly supportive community of professionals, and Becca was so lucky to have a doctor as responsive and kind as Stephen Johnston.

Rebecca was my prom date.We did a carriage ride in Central Park, saw a cheesy band in a nite club, and for some reason, the thing to do on prom night was to take the State Island Ferry. Becca stopped me right before I was going to lock my keys in the car.

The Arista trip to the Dude ranch could fill volumes.

After so many years, Facebook brought us back into each others lifes.She was quick wit, and we had so many laughs.

Rebecca, you will not be surprised to know that I just called Jim to help me deal with the technical aspect of posting this comment! Nothing has changed in that department but everything else in the world has. You are not here. I now resort to treasured memories of a lady with the biggest heart in the world. You commented in Cancer Divas that as you had cancer it was going to be all about you. Oh no it wasn't it was always about me and everyone else in your life. You always wanted to know what was going on with me and my kids and my work and my sister and my parents. I remember saying to you that YOU had the bloody cancer, how are YOU doing. I am so going to miss you darling. Sue x

The person who I knew for a decade and came to love was someone that I shall hold very dear and will live on inside of me until my last dying breath.

We were similar yet so different. We had both travelled extensively and were proud of our achievements yet each had a different way of perceiving things.

Nevertheless, the relationship that developed over time with this incredible individual took me by surprise because it was of a much more intimate sort than I had ever been accustomed to before with anyone. I suppose that I shall never again become so attached to a stranger who only came into my life because we lived in the same building and had the commonality of growing up in the USA.

Regardless of having very strong characters we always seemed to connect on some level and were thus able to better understand and respect one another. Rebecca used to refer to me as having two sides "good Gareth" and "bad Gareth" as she would say that I could be very nice and altruistic or very mean and without a care, albeit she much preferred the former to the latter. Whereas I would say, "you can't be friends and pretend to have something in common with everyone". Now, having read the comments included herein, I realise that Rebecca has indeed proved me wrong.

In truth, now that she is gone I realise that Rebecca was the big sister I never had but had always wished for.

I shall never forget how, when Rebecca was introduced to my late grandmother Marjorie Levers (Madge) Rebecca almost instantly adopted her and straight off explained to me that she had never had a grandmother so she was so happy to have met mine. When Madge was in London visiting me, Rebecca and Madge would go to see plays together and have long chats about their respective trials and tribulations to date. On one particular occasion Rebecca spoke to us about how proud she was of her English grandfather [who, I seem to recall] became a doctor after emigrating to the USA. Rebecca also would speak to us about her wonderful childhood and friends (like Dori and Jim) about her siblings (Alan and Harriet) and, of course, how proud she was and how lucky she felt to have a mum like Gladys. As for her father, Rebecca also expressed a huge amount of praise however she could not hide how much she missed him. Even when Jean-Marie and I were away from the flat, Rebecca would take it upon herself to look out and provide for Madge in the same way that I would.

In 2005, when Madge was diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer at the age of 88, Rebecca tried to confort me on more than one occasion and I was grateful for her sincere kindness. Once, when I saw Rebecca crying after a visit to the care home where Madge resided prior to her death, without a single word to one another, we shared a glance that seemed to sum up how we felt after spending a day with someone for whom we both knew her days were counted. It was at that very moment that I realised how genuine and irreplaceable Rebecca really was.

At grandmother's funeral, four days from what would have been Madge's 90th birthday, in January 2006, Rebecca was there in Church Stretton with other intimate friends and family. When it came time for me to read my eulogy to those assembled in the church, I recall looking ahead of me with tears in my eyes and feeling my lips tremble more and more with every word. Yet only a few metres in front of me I could see Rebecca who, even though she was also upset, offered me a consoling, empathetic look which seemed to say "be strong, Madge knows how much you loved her". I recall that moment being one of the most difficult of my life, saying good-bye and paying my respects to the person who I had loved and cherished in front of clergy, family and Madge's closest friends and neighbours from the village where she had resided most of her life. Rebecca's presence on that fateful day made the whole experience a little easier to endure and I was again very grateful.

I recall June 2007 like it was only yesterday. I had just returned from my residence in Rome and Rebecca came up to see me with the excuse of my making her a good cappuccino with my built-in coffee machine. We sat down and Rebecca told me that she had been for a routine medical for a change of insurance and something that seemed unusual or untoward had come up on her body and she had since received the confirmation that she had Inflammatory Breast Cancer and would soon be having a radical mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. I recall how my heart beat faster and faster and the adrenaline pumping through my veins with each word. I could not believe that this was happening again and, most importantly, to someone who I had always viewed as invincible. Ever since then I have observed Rebecca face and overcome challenges that I know I would not have been able to find the courage and strength to affront, let alone surmount. My admiration for Rebecca continued to triumph until last Sunday night when I returned to Madrid from Valencia with Jean-Marie. When I opened and read the two emails from Marisol and Massimo announcing Rebecca's sudden and unexpected passing I felt numb and recall my state of complete disbelief. It was only after a sleepless night at around 5am on Monday morning that I began to conceptualise my loss and accept that any opportunity to tease, cajole or purposely get on the nerves of my 'big sis' again was gone forever. I am left feeling utterly distraught with grief and sadness. For this reason, I am especially grateful to Jim for this opportunity to express my thoughts and feelings.

Thanks to something as trivial as our living in the same building overlooking a park in London, Rebecca was introduced at some point to virtually all of my friends and family members and I knew those closest to her. Rebecca touched so many lives so the emptiness she leaves behind is immense and will prove forever impossible to fill, at least to my mind.

I reserve my sincerest condolences for everyone - family, friends, colleagues - who were fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to be so deeply touched in the same way by Rebecca.

Rest in peace dear sweet Rebecca... may you now be in your father's arms and those of the grandparents who you never knew but so longed for and may you rekindle those friendships with dearly-beloved Madge and Evelyne. I love you and shall forever miss you.

Rebecca, what is it that you would like the world to know? You are so beloved by so many; certainly you will not be forgotten, and you leave a legacy just by having touched so many who were priveleged enough to know you.
Beach houses in East Hampton and Rehobeth, ABC, Al Jazeera, dinners, laughter, world travel...all good...but is it enough to memorialize someone as truly unique as you have been? How can we repay your generosity of spirit and the love you bestowed upon us?
I am at a loss...

Maybe it is just to follow your example of a life well lived.
(though much too short!)

Oh, you wouldn't want all this crying and hand wringing anyway...It just wasn't your way.

The above have testified to the extraordinary way in which Rebecca handled cancer, also to her rich and varied journalistic life - and social life! The army of her friends on this page is proof of that. The first serious amount of time I spent with Rebecca was at a rowdy New Year’s weekend 2004-05 in the south of France. Our last was one gorgeous afternoon at the end of winter. It was an unseasonably hot sunny day and we walked along the Thames for a long time, ending up on a pub veranda with our coats off sunning ourselves, trading stories. I suppose you’d call it gossip only with Rebecca it didn’t feel illegal. Wasn’t it wonderful the way she liked to know the news about everybody else but in such a non-gossipy way? She was so very, very good to tell something important to. What did she do with all that information! I’d tell her something and she’d nod or maybe the eyebrows would go up and she’d insert some wise insight, some very realistic solution to a problem and move on to the next thing on the agenda. She was so lovely to be with. She was also, as others have said, very generous. I thought I was taking her to lunch that day but she insisted on picking up the tab. Gladys, you and I met when we all had dinner together somewhere in Chiswick shortly after Rebecca was diagnosed - I think Sue was there too - and how wonderful it was to meet you. How I wished then that this day wouldn’t come. I send all my sympathy to you, to Harriet and Alan, and to all of Rebecca’s close friends.

With so many talented journalists in her life, I hope someone will write her story. Not just how amazing and wonderful she was, not just her battle with cancer, not just about inflammatory breast cancer, but also that she got good care in the UK. And, even though she was an American citizen, she would not have been able to get health coverage in the US. (Pre existing condition and all that) I don't think she would have gotten more or better care here, but the fact that she COULDN'T is something that needs to be known. This,too,is another legacy she can leave. (I am not a journalist, I am a doctor)

We mourn the loss of another friend and colleague to this terrible disease. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Lipkin family and all of those touched by Rebecca's intelligence and generous spirit. She will be missed.

Rebecca had a wonderful aura. She was like a beacon of light and just standing close to her made you feel better.

Regarding Rebecca and her legacy re the US Health Care Reform bills being debated in Congress now, a subject brought up by Dr Faith Barash, above:

I would add that Rebecca's wonderful care was in an NHS hospital, the Royal Marsden. She had the same universal coverage as every other person in the UK, although she did in fact have supplemental private insurance (a rarity and not a necessity in Britain). It gave her a more comfy chair for chemo, and may have given her easier access to one or two types of drugs that the NHS may have rationed. In almost every way, including the choice of surgeons and oncologist, Rebecca made choices within the NHS.
The main point that Faith makes, is that Rebecca had wonderful, caring, cutting edge care in a country with universal health insurance. She did waste one second of worry about gaining access to the best medical care, except when she contemplated the problem of returning home to the US.

Compare her situation to Char's son (read above), who despite having excellent coverage here in the States (Oxford), could only receive care as "out of network" at Sloan Kettering, the only cancer center with extensive experience of his rare disease, Burkitt's pymphoma. This family racked up 100k in bills --this is WITH insurance -- to treat their son.
So many who read these tributes are people of influence; let this be an opportunity to join the debate and help shape our current health reform.

Many of you know that Rebecca was a Knight International Journalism Fellow in Eastern Europe in 1999 -- no surprise that she was one of the best. Here's a tribute to her that we put on the Knight Fellowship web site:

Blogpost on Rebecca Lipkin.


With great sadness we learned Monday that Knight Fellow Rebecca Lipkin (Eastern Europe, 1999) died over the weekend of breast cancer. Rebecca was just 48 and had been fighting the disease for the past two years.

She was absolutely a model Knight Fellow – so committed to the work of improving journalism in countries where people had never before been able to get independent information about their governments and societies. She continued that role after her Fellowship, becoming a mentor to scores of young journalists she met through her work at ABC News and Al Jazeera. She was working for Al Jazeera in London when she died.

Rebecca and I were in the same orientation class in 1999 before beginning our Knight Fellowships. We became fast friends right away – she was one of the funniest, wittiest people I’ve ever known. I remember her account from Eastern Europe of one TV station (not one where she worked, I believe) that pioneered the stripping weathercasters. While telling viewers what weather to expect, the weathercaster would adjust his or her own clothes to suit the temperature, stripping down to next to nothing on hot days. The way she told the story had us all screaming with laughter.

More seriously, Rebecca worked so hard to teach journalists the broadcast skills they needed to become reliable and compelling sources of information in countries still shedding their authoritarian ways. She successfully nominated one of the journalists she worked with, Adam Komers, for the Knight International Journalism Award. He had been one of the leaders of a journalists’ strike at Czech Public Television in Prague that led to the sacking of the station’s director and the passage of a law that would prevent political appointments to the post in the future.

Rebecca was generous in so many ways. She put me up in her flat when I visited London, and she was always eager to help with ideas and connections when ICFJ needed them. Her death at such a young age has left hundreds of people around the world in grief and shock. You can read dozens of tributes to her at a web site set up in her honor: http://www.friendsofrebecca.com/blog/blog4.php. If you knew her, please add your own.

All of us in the Knight International and ICFJ families will miss her terribly.

Patrick Butler
Vice President-Programs

People have written of Rebecca's beautiful hands (yes!), her generosity, intelligence, and her wry humor and wit. As I read these tributes I can see her and hear her voice. I distinctly remember asking Melissa "Who's Rebecca?", but once I met her it felt as if I had always known her and always would.

During my years at ABC, I unfortunately never worked directly with Rebecca, but frequently passed in the halls or shared an elevator. She always had a kind greeting, even when she was obviously busy with a project. It is that kind of person who makes an enjoyable work place.

Rebecca was one of a kind. Her laughter and sparkle were infectious. She walked into a room and immediately you were drawn to that laugh. She will be truly missed, but memories of her will forever bring joy.

I hope you've all read the note from Gladys Lipkin on the main intro page. I want to pay tribute to Gladys as well.

Gladys became my second mom shortly after I met Rebecca in 1974. She was then, and still is, one amazing woman. If you know Gladys well, then you know why Rebecca was such a remarkable and loving woman.

During Rebecca's stay in hospital last week, Gladys steadfastly refused to leave Rebecca's side, even sleeping on two chairs for several nights before hospital staff could organise a cot for Gladys to sleep on.

Not only did she give Rebecca an amazing level of love, comfort and support, she provided the same for all the friends who came to visit Rebecca and all of those, like me, who were far away and couldn't get to London.

Gladys, the tributes on this page are amazing, but they still only scratch the surface. I can't think of a single person who has amassed anywhere as much love and respect as your wonderful daughter. You have reason to be remarkably proud!!

Yes, Becca had beautiful hands and beautiful hair. And she had perfect pitch. She could hear a song once, and replicate it perfectly on the piano. I loved her rendition of the Flintstones theme song. I loved her silliness and quickness. When there was a near tornado in Manhattan a year or 2 ago, she said "It's really bad - baby's are flying down 5th avenue." Where did that come from? I think of that now and I'm laughing.

Rebecca fed me, housed me and made me laugh during some very dark days. She introduced me to KD Lang, walking the Brooklyn Bridge and the DC Metro. She taught me how to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere.

Every year I intended to visit her in London. I so regret that I never made it. She was a generous friend.

I met Rebecca my freshman year at Brown--she was the "counselor" on my floor and our rooms were just a couple of doors away from each other. She took her assignment seriously, making newbies feel as at home as possible. She introduced me to her great group of friends, easing entry into university life.

Rebecca became my counselor once again when I found out I had breast cancer two years ago. She was about 6 months ahead of me in treatment for what she called her "boutique breast cancer" and gave me advice about everything from what to expect from chemo to beauty tips (the most enduring one was how to keep your eyebrows). She was reassuring, informative, loving,always ready to help. And, of course, kept humor in the mix all the way.

Rebecca, you will remain with me always.

The Independent Journalism Foundation and its Centers for Independent Journalism were the hosts for Rebecca's Knight International Fellowship mentioned above. She was a wonderful trainer and colleague, and her enthusiasm
for a good story told well was its own perfect form of diplomacy. We were lucky to work with her and send our sympathy to her family.
Nancy Ward, Jim Greenfield and Don Wilson

These pages themselves tell the story of Rebecca's "pull." She connected with everybody,usually in an instant. I remember one of her visits to DC after her move to London. Her suggestion that anyone who wanted to join her at Martin's Tavern was welcome to come along: turned out they couldn't find a table big enough for the crowd that was Rebecca's.
She was great to have along on adventures overseas: will never forget Israel with her, our piece about the ER as the one place where politics didn't matter. She charmed the whole place.
Charm ... that's the word I have been looking for. She charmed. She was charming. She was...a charm.
Goodbye, Lippy.

Like Dana, Rebecca introduced me to college the world I have never left. Although we had been out of direct touch I know how much Rebecca's experience and courage were a model for Dana when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. When Dana told me about Rebecca and her cancer and their alliance, I dreamed about Rebecca and Dana. They were vivid figures in my dreams together, laughing and fighting cancer together. The dream with Rebecca there was very reassuring and that was well before I ever saw her amazing cancer journals.

I am in awe of all Rebecca was able to accomplish in her all-too-short life. She touched so many.

with love, respect, and great admiration for a life well lived.

Laura

Rebecca, whether it was meeting you for lunch or dinner, having an email exchange or a quick chat, you always made my day. Such quick wit and such zest for life. Your intelligence, charm and sense of humor made everything seem possible.

Please know how much the Talalay/Moras are thinking of you and your wonderful family.

Hugs always.

Rebecca didn't fail, she triumphed by pushing back and enjoying her time on this planet. she inspires me to be brave and get cured.
love to her wonderful friends, family and buddies.

Information for Rebecca’s Burial and Memorial

The family and friends of our dear Rebecca invite you to join us and celebrate her glorious life.

Friday, July 24, 2009:
11AM: Burial at Beth David Cemetary, 300 Elmont Road, Elmont, New York. Google Maplink: http://tinyurl.com/mnvbjf

Lunch immediately follows at the Garden City Hotel, 45 7th Street, Garden City, NY. Google Maplink: http://tinyurl.com/ktcdql

Sunday, July 26, 2009:
2PM: Memorial Service, immediately followed by lunch reception at Adas Israel Congregation, 2850 Quebec St, NW, Washington, DC Google Maplink: http://tinyurl.com/ko7r29. Metro Stop: Cleveland Park on the Red Line (2 blocks away).

Monday & Tuesday, July 27-28, 2009:
5:30 – 8:30PM: Shiva at the home of Harriet Lipkin and Chris Sautter: 3623 Everett Street, NW, Washington, DC. Google Maplink: http://tinyurl.com/nafz5z

Many people will probably take the train from New York to Washington on Saturday. If you are interested in making it “The Becca Express,” please contact Jim Gold at jim@gold-media.net as soon as possible.

Donations:
Inflammatory Breast Cancer is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, accounting for 1 to 5 percent of all breast cancer cases in the United States. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to:
The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation, Houston Texas via this link:
http://www.eraseibc.com/67001.html

or:

Royal Marsden Hospital
Please make checks payable to:
The Royal Marsden Hospital
and write on the back:
Dr Stephen Johnston's Breast Cancer Research Fund
Checks should be posted to:
Mary Parry
The Royal Marsden Hospital
Fulham Road
London SW3 6JJ

=====
This message will be posted at the front page of this site shortly....

When Rebecca laughed, as she often did, it was a full throated, jaw dropping laugh. It filled the room, made everyone in it a little looser and somehow less burdened.

I so admired Rebecca's smarts, her curiosity, her quick wit, her courage, but it's that laugh I choose to remember most today. Rebecca's laugh embraced me and everyone lucky enough to know her in the warmth of her joyful, everlasting spirit.

My love and sympathy to Rebecca's dear family and friends.

- Kate

Hi,

I would just like to say that I only knew Rebecca to say 'hello' to in the corridors of Al Jazeera but what struck me the most about her, was her constant positivity and wonderful sense of humour. She was definitely a ray of sunshine here.

She will be sorely missed.

Thinking of you all at this time.

Sonia Gungadin

Dear Rebecca,

I knew you more as an ABC colleague than a close friend, but you were truly unique in so many ways. It's all been said by your friends and family, but I want to share one story that illustrates all the many great things said about you.

Once when you were going to London on vacation, I presumptively asked if you could fill my prescription for a new migraine drug that was not available in pill form in the U.S.

When you got back, you recounted with great humor and exasperation the effort it took to find a pharmacy that had the drug. You took countless taxis around London until you did. It was clear you had gone out of your way for me whereas most people, including myself, would have given up on the second run.

When we last talked, you had just gotten your cancer diagnosis. I was overwhelmed by your positive, humorous attitude and fierce desire to fight. I thought about you often since then. You inspired me in so many ways you can't imagine.

Even though you were a continent away, I feel your loss.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those whose lives you touched.

Stephanie Smith

I can't believe Rebecca's gone. There's so much to say and too choked up to say it in person or on a phone. My deepest condolences go out to Gladys, Harriet and Alvin.

Yes, she did have a great sense of humor (as everyone attests to in their blogs). One incident that stands out in my mind was the evening after Mitch and Adrienne's wedding. A handful of us were staying at the local inn, so, late in the evening, we donned our bathrobes (which the inn provided us with), ready for sleep (?) and wound up in the little living room of the inn. There were jokes and coments going around, word games, confiscated bottles of wine from the wedding party, "noshes" and laughter. That's when I found out how funny Revbecca was!
Even her recent emails to me were light and cheerful, always ending in XOXO, never letting on what she was really feeling.

Now I regret not ging to Prague--a place she raved about and said that she'd show me all her "haunts" if I took the trip. I didn't go....some silly reason kept me home from that.

Rebecca spoke (and wrote) from the heart. When I was at Rebecca's father's funeral, she read her "letter" to him--a tender and humorous tribute highlighting their loving relationship. It was so beautiful, I asked for a copy.

Paul and I will never forget Rebecca. She shared the same birthday with Paul and have the picture of him giving her a birthday smooch. We'll add an extra candle on his birthday cake this September...the kind that you blow out and it re-lights again....because Rebecca's light will never go out.

Sally & Paul Praver

Rebecca was so selfless and incredibly brave in how she confronted and challenged the hand she was dealt. Never losing her sense of humour and never self pitying. I always told her how I admired that and she'd shrug it off with a joke.
I cherish our long chat over New Years Eve, and I'm so happy you revisited Portugal and had a sugar rush over the Travesseiros and Pasteis de Belem. You couldn't believe how the Portuguese all still had such good teeth.

You are an inspiration and we are all richer for having known you.

All my love to the Lipkin family and her loving friends x

It was always such a pleasure to work with Rebecca. Not so many people can look at you across a table and make you laugh simply by making faces at the speakerphone. I always loved that about her. My thoughts and prayers are with the Lipkin family and her wonderful community of friends.

It was happy circumstance that brought you into Rebecca’s orbit. She was an endless wellspring of insight, intellect, compassion, and curiosity and yes, above all other, humor. She was also insidious, forever weaving a glorious tapestry with her presence, music and laughter - connecting with you, regardless of time or distance, usually at just that moment in your life when you needed her special brand of humanity the most. She never failed to surprise or delight you with her ideas.

She saw everything down to the smallest detail; and she was sometimes tempted by the oddest things as she roamed and wandered in her travels, and always fully engaged and open to whatever might come.

While traveling with her in Cuba once, we were taking pictures of Castro’s street-side propaganda when a young man and his family tentatively approached us, curious about these wayward English speaking gringos. Her nature being what it was, we ended up climbing up four flights of stairs, lit only by a flickering lighter and sharing a fascinating evening with them - the entire experience rich and illuminating and one that left us all with an indelible encounter with the astonishing realities of Cuban life.

This story along with so many others is all the more remarkable because for Rebecca they are not rare. This was her essence.

I will forever cherish the time that we had together. Rebecca was a friend to all, but so much more than that to me.

Rebecca - did nothing but exude positive energy. That contagious smile and laugh, her giant heart - I'm truly going to miss the aura of positive energy that surrounded her.

Rebecca knew that it only takes a spark to start a fire, and she used that spark to get others fired up for a cause.

How could one person influence so many of us, so perfectly?...Rebecca only knew how to do that. We will miss Rebecca !

My love and sympathy to Rebecca's family and friends.

Derek

Chris, Harriet, Stephanie, Josh, Mrs. Lipkin and Rebecca's brother, all of us
who knew of Rebecca's brave struggle and of the wonderful work she did are deeply saddened by her passing from among us, but we know that her strong and amazing spirit will continue to work wonders in this world. Our thoughts are with you.
Sandy, Bob, and all the Blue Herons of Gintaras, Michigan.

Chris, Harriet, Stephanie, Josh, Mrs. Lipkin and Alan, all of us
who knew of Rebecca's brave struggle and of the wonderful work she did are deeply saddened by her passing from among us, but we know that her strong and amazing spirit will continue to work wonders in this world. Our thoughts are with you.
Sandy, Bob, and all the Blue Herons of Gintaras, Michigan.

Wow. What an unbelievable mix of sorrow and joy you get from reading this outpouring of love. Such beautiful words and great stories. My family, Adrienne, Liam, Tea and I got to have a wonderful final trip with Rebecca just a few weeks ago in Barcelona. I could see the struggle she was having to keep the light in her eyes. She fought with such passion to bring joy and laughter to all of her friends despite what was happening to her body inside. That was SOUL- one of the biggest and best we'll ever see. God bless all the Lipkins who have to live with this loss, especially Gladys! We love you. We'll miss Rebecca for the rest of our days.

In one of her grand experiments for Nightline, Rebecca enlisted Frank McCourt as the correspondent for a story on Dublin's rebirth. Brilliant idea and execution. For those who want to see a master excel at her craft, watch the program here.

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8147952

It is so freaky that the McCourt and Rebecca passed away on the same day. I'm hope they're enjoying a little nip together now.

Rebecca's sister Harriet and I have been partners and have practiced law together for over 20 years. No one can be connected to the Lipkin family for that long without getting adopted. As a result, Rebecca, her jobs, triumphs and tribulations have been a part of my life and that vicarious relationship has been a joy. My favorite Rebecca story is about the time she was on strike and walking a picket line. I think it was ABC but am not certain. Richard Nixon was scheduled to be interviewed and had heard that one of the strikers was a Brown graduate. He asked which one it was and was introduced to Becca. This meeting resulted in Rebecca Lipkin becoming what I am sure is the only striker in American history to walk a picket line with a sign autographed by Richard Nixon. Harriet is a tough as nails labor lawyer and that sign hangs in her office. That fact always appealed to Rebecca's highly developed sense of irony. She will be missed.

Rebecca was a warm, delightful and extremely talented person with a ready smile and hilarious sense of humor. And what better tribute to her than this amazing, although not surprising, outpouring of admiration and love? My deepest sympathies to her beloved family.

It was on the NBC picket line in 1987 -- a strike forced by GE shortly after taking over the network -- that Rebecca and I together encountered former President Richard Nixon. I remember nothing about his seeking out a Brown graduate, however! Much as we loathed him and his crimes, he was in fact the ONLY person to cross the picket line and come explain himself to us strikers. He told us he was going up to talk w NBC head honcho Larry Grossman, and he'd ask about settling the strike (yeah right). He didn't help our cause, but we each got personalized autographs with our names on these signs (just us two). He didn't help our cause, but Rebecca promptly called Page 6 of the Post, who ran the story. I've got the clip framed with my ON STRIKE placard. BTW we spent the entire strike in East Hampton, except for the one day each week we had to show up for unemployment and picket duty!

What a beautiful note from Rebecca's Mother.
I got to know Rebecca through her soulmate, Jim Gold, and one of her closest friends, Sue Phillips.
I have many memories of Rebecca and they all speak to the qualities that her Mother wrote about.
But just to add that even in her most painful recent times, she was as funny and acerbic as ever and still somehow managed to project a sense of enthusiasm and commitment about her work at Al Jazeera English.
She spoke passionately to a visiting group of American students from Indiana University about the importance of opening their eyes to a world view. She made a compelling case for why Al Jazeera English mattered in international broadcasting. They were moved by what she told them and her own personal career story. They were devastated when I told them later about her struggle.

We celebrate her life and will continue to do so. But we all miss her terribly.

I first met Rebecca when she was my election researcher at Eyewitness News in the eighties. It must have been one of her first journalism jobs. She quickly learned what a pain in the neck I was to work work for. I quickly learned what a funny, intelligent, fast, warm person she was. I could bore you with stories of out of line behavior at the 1984 political conventions but we'll keep those to posterity. I was a white bread Catholic from Garden City. She was a Levy's rye Jewish girl from The City. But I quickly took up her lingo. Our chats for the rest of her life would be rat-a-tat Borscht Belt shticks. (By the way I find it fitting that her funeral lunch will be held in my old hometown. I place I regaled he with stories about my one Jewish friend in High School...I think the only Jewish family in the town!) She was my little sister, political analyst, romance counselor, and confessor all wrapped into one. After Channel 7 we stayed in touch but went our own ways. She went on of course to greatness at ABC and then finally at AJE. I'd like to say I taught her everything she knows but that would be a lie! Thankfully three years I was assigned to London and we saw more of each other. And I could see how she handled this terrible terrible disease. My god how pure Rebecca. Who else would organize a massive Tuscan family holiday staring death right in the face. It's funny but the immediate thing I took away from the death of Rebecca is Life, I was reminded of how fragile life is, how short a time we all have here. But more importantly, how much Rebecca grabbed life, her work, her play, her friends...and made the most of it. And so I have just two last things to say to Rebecca : 1.Oi veh, bubabaleh!!! Now look what you've done!!! And... 2. I love you very much and will miss you. Be well. Greg

One thing I loved about Becca was that she had so many remarkable accomplishments, but she liked to be silly.

There is no such thing as a "timely" death, certainly not for someone 48 years old. There is always more to see, do and accomplish, more people to touch.

Even so, my own encounters with her over the years and all the testimony on this site confirm that Becca squeezed much more out of her relatively short life than many people twice her age. That is the essence of her story.

Cold comfort, I know. It doesn't nearly compensate for how terribly sorry I am for Becca and for all the people (and there are obviously many) she has left behind.

But she and all of the rest of us in her orbit benefited from a life extraordinarily well lived. And even the mere memory of that -- which is all we have now -- is worth a whole lot.

Jeff Weintraub

I wish I knew Rebecca as an adult, as I am deeply moved by all these comments. As an old family friend, I once baby sat for her, and had no idea of just what was to come. What a terribly sad loss, and yet what a wonderful gift to all who knew her. Wishing Gladys, Harriet, and Alan the best, love and xoxo,
Deb

From one of Rebecca's many friends in London, she will be sorely missed. It was great to get to know Rebecca, attend the famous firework night parties on the roof of her apartment and hang out in South West London. A very talented, kind and fund person.

Dearest Rebecca, one hundred per cent you have not failed to touch everyone! Warm, generous, witty, intelligent and a great sense of humour. You had a unique quality of being interested in everyone and their lives. You were able to instantly connect with people from all walks of life finding some common ground and loved by all. I shall miss the daily updates and texts but will have all the memories of those happy days - you playing the piano, singing, laughing and lunch chats in Hyde Park about life. Denise xoxo

There are people who are part of the fabric of your life even though you don’t see them on a daily basis. Such was Rebecca Lipkin to our little family. We met her when Chris, Craig’s brother, dated and then married her sister Harriet. We watched her grow from a smart college student at Brown to a competent television producer. We got to know her when she moved to Chicago to be a Benton fellow. We were struck with her immediate interest in a new city and her uncanny ability to quickly find the best restaurants in a town, a trait we noticed she still possessed in Miami this winter.

But most of all, we took inspiration in her fearlessness—the way she would quietly tackle her work and the way she would head out to visit a distant port.

We loved hearing about her accomplishments from her mother and sister. But what sticks out in our minds are times such as when Ted Koppel interviewed her in Iraq about producing news reports sometimes without electricity (she said something like, “no problem”) and when she accompanied Frank McCourt on a bus tour of Ireland and he called her mother from the bus to say what a nice daughter she had.

Rebecca seemed to love all things family. She immortalized our Australian mother’s Pavlova, as much for the word as the concept. We won’t think of it again without thinking of her. She didn’t hesitate to call Sally’s cousins be they in Sydney or London. She, in turn, would send someone she met in Prague to look us up in Chicago. The result was we developed a new friend.

We know her family will miss her dreadfully as a sister, daughter and aunt who share the same sense of humor and laugh at the same absurdities they see in life. We’d like to think she is somewhere with Frank McCourt and her father exchanging stories. Just imagine the smiles.

Sally Reed and R. Craig Sautter

Our dear Rebecca was laid to rest this morning at the Beth David Cemetary in Elmont, NY. More than 100 family & friends were in attendance at the moving service. Afterwards, we all joined together at the Garden City Hotel, where everyone ended up laughing and smiling -- because when you talk about Rebecca, that's what you do .. you laugh and smile.

We look forward to further celebrations at the Memorial on Sunday at 2PM at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC. If you wish to attend and still require details, search for Adas Israel on this site or feel free to email me at jim@gold-media.net. All are welcome to attend.

The Washington Post printed a wonderful story today celebrating Rebecca's life. Please take a few minutes to read it by clicking on the website above.

This Week with George Stephanopoulos will include a tribute to Rebecca during the "In Memorium" segment during this coming Sunday's show on July 27th.

Please check This Week's website above to view local viewing times. Additionally, those overseas will be able to view the show from late Sunday via the website. The "In Memorium" segment airs towards the end of the programme.

Special thanks to Dennis Powell for making this happen.

I've put together a few out takes from the first Diva Diaries shoot... Classic Rebecca!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd3GuU0q9XY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fhome.php&feature=player_embedded

Becca, still hearing your laughter, the wisdom of your words, and the kindness of your soul. To your family my sincerest condolences.

I have been in denial for months now. Not wanting to believe how sick Rebecca was, not wanting to acknowledge how much i would miss my friend who came into my life all the time, no matter what part of the planet she was on. And after reading so many postings, I know how much a part of all of she has become. And how I will never stop missing her or her generosity or kindness or patience or humor or bravery. I loved talking to Rebecca -- she was a fascinating person ad would make you think harder and deeper than almost anyone else could. But she was a listener too. She remembered everything you ever told her and she cared, and commented and always wanted to be a part of you.
She was at my house the night my water broke before our son Liam was born. She realized something was up before anyone else, and came and sat by me on the bed after I called my doctor and stayed and talked and laughed about going into labor until Jim and I were ready to pack.
She loved Liam and Tea and visited often when she was here. They adored playing piano with her and for her, and her appearance at dinner or brunch was always welcome and exciting. We visited her in London a few years ago, and she wore a tiara to Tea's birthday party at the River Cafe and took Liam and me to a fabulous South African movie. We adored every minute we ever spent with her. Once Gladys took me and the kids and Rebecca to Shun Lee and Liam could not believe what an amazing team this mother and daughter were. It was one fabulous night of food and love and laughs. We shared that fun again, just a few short weeks ago in Barcelona. Rebecca looked at Liam and Tea with such love and so many memories. I knew the trip was taking a toll, and I feel so guilty now how I dragged her to the stadium to see U2. But her face lit up with moonbeams as we watched that show and danced, and then went, all of us to the band's after party.
We stayed out till 3 in the morning, laughing and singing and dancing. That is the Rebecca I will always remember. The one I loved, the one who always inspired me to be a better person than I could ever be, the one who made me laugh, and think and the one who I now miss so deeply.
Thank you Rebecca for being such a huge part of our lives, for sharing Gladys with us and for showing me what friendship truly is. I wish I had been a better friend to her, I only hope that she knew what she meant to me. To all of us. I send love and thanks to Gladys and Harriet, and to the rest of her family for sharing her with us. xo a

I am so saddened to hear this news.

Rebecca lives on in her writing, her thinking, her sharing and caring for others. I know, she cared for me when I needed tending.


Bless you all.


Patti Bradfield, President

The Inflammatory Breast Cancer Foundation

I know from my experience of losing my mother, that Rebecca sick will fade and Rebecca fun and happy will be what remains with all of us. To help that, hasten that, there's a central place to view and add photos of Rebecca. If you want to add your own, you have to join (easy and free). I really want to encourage everyone to put their favorite pictures in here, it means so much to Gladys, to see the people who meant so much to her daughter; it also is healing to see our girl in action, loving life.

As so many have movingly attested, Rebecca had the extraordinary capacity to connect with people. She and I became close in the early 90s during her last years in NYC; when she moved to DC, I introduced her to three of my friends, and they soon became her friends.

Rebecca was a terrific storyteller, both in her profession and with her friends. She and I joked about her writing a memoir of the latest stage of her professional career. We'll never get to read "A Jew at Al-Jazeera" or "Gal Jazeera," but Rebecca, as we know, found new ways to eloquently tell her story.

My deep regret at not having spent more time in communication with Rebecca in the last couple of years is tempered by the recognition that, more than perhaps anyone I know, she was enmeshed in a rich orbit of loving friends and family.

Reading all remembrances makes me very sad, but it also reminds me how much Rebecca embraced life.

We’re deeply saddened by the news of Rebecca’s passing. We feel truly fortunate to have known Rebecca and been part of her extended family. Rebecca was kind, engaging and simply fun to be around. What a privilege it is to have had the good luck to be joined with her by family ties. For as long as we’ve known Rebecca, she’s always reached out to renew our connection whenever circumstances allowed. A few years ago when we were in London, she invited us to her flat for a Thanksgiving dinner she was putting together with friends, and made us and our children feel comfortable and welcome. More recently, we stayed in touch by e-mail.

Our love goes out to Gladys, Harriet and Chris, Alan and Barbara and their families and to all of Rebecca’s great family of friends.

Cliff Shapiro and Doreen Ludemann

It is with great sadness that I learned of Rebecca's passing. I have many fond memories of her from our high school days, and am amazed, but not suprised at all, by the many things she accomplished and the number of people whose lives she touched. My deepest sympathies to her family and all of her friends on their untimely loss.

My heart too is too full to write a proper tribute to Becca- I will-- but for now I wanted to post the special tribute to Rebecca ABC's This Week had on Sunday's broadcast-- alongside one for Frank McCourt. Becca would have been very pleased with that, I think!

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=rebecca+lipkin&r=thisweek

I miss her so. xxTina

I once invited Rebecca to a party given by another friend of mine. I couldn’t really introduce her to anybody, since I knew hardly anyone at the party myself. But every time I turned around, Rebecca was in the midst of an animated conversation with someone. I knew I was in the presence of a master.

She really knew how to work a room, or strike up a conversation with a stranger. For her, it wasn’t the superficial chitchat of politicians and executives or “Hey, I’m managing to have a conversation with someone who’s not in my demographic.” As a journalist and a person, she wanted to know their stories. Even though she was a tremendously impressive and interesting person, she genuinely found other people’s stories more interesting and impressive than hers.

I'm heading to London Tuesday. Will be there until Sunday. Instead of the visit with her that I had planned, I'll be helping to sort through her things. There are many things in her flat. Becca never met a hotel shampoo bottle she didn't like. And there are the many things she collected from her world travels. This will be interesting. I don't think it will be sad. I'm looking forward to being around her stuff and in her flat one last time. I loved visiting her there.

She used to joke about how expensive it was, esp. given the almost 2 to 1 exchange rate a while back. I once received a text saying she had just eaten a $36 hamburger. I won't be eating any $36 hamburgers, but I will be thinking of all the fun we had together.

It would be great for Gladys (and everybody) if we could keep adding pictures of Rebecca to the central site, www.celebratingrebeccalipkin.shutterfly.com
It takes video too.
Please take the time, especially if you have pictures of yourself w Becca.

Several days have passed, and I have found myself thinking of Rebecca alot.
And, I find myself feeling HAPPY. Of course, not happy that she is no longer with us...But, the thought of her makes me smile.

I'd like to echo the sentiments left by others. Rebecca was an important part of our lives. Her memory will live on.

Rebecca was magical. She had the ability to make everyone she spoke to feel important. Whenever we got together, no matter how hum drum I felt my life was compared to hers, she was interested and made me feel special. Rebecca was my first true life long friend. We met when we were 6 years old in Camp Kewanee. We were inseparable. One summer when Rebecca and I got off the camp bus together, my family presented the Lipkins with their beloved dog, Lucky, much to Gladys' chagrin! Our relationship always evolved. I learned from Rebecca, who didn't? She was spirited, funny, brilliant and gentle. My husband and daughters got to know Rebecca over the years - she had an affect on all of us. In London, we went with her to visit friends and neighbors in our pajamas. Rebecca, of course, was in her sushi pajamas. I will always remember Rebecca with a smile and I will always miss her. Rebecca was magical.

It was shattering to hear about Rebecca's passing away. Although I've only seen her a couple of times recently, in Florence, Italy, my memory of the time spent together is still very lively. We hadn't seen each other for a long time, but it was as if we had seen each other the day before. We soon caught up with our stories, and especially her story, which left me full of admiration for the courage Rebecca has had, till the end, as I hear. I was privileged to meet her family and friends last year in Florence and have dinner with them. She was looking very well and full of projects. I would have never thought that only a year after we would be crying for her departure. All my admiration goes to her family, friends but especially her mother, what an honor to have met her.
We should all be strong as Rebecca has shown to be in her difficult moments.
I only regret having not been in touch with her in the last few months. Our hectic lives take away the pleasure of a conversation or even an email. Goodbye Rebecca.
Beatrice and Sara

I had the great fortune to meet Rebecca in the early 1990s at a journalism ethics seminar at the Poynter Institue in St. Petersburg. A handful of us took an evening out to see a Jackson Browne concert in Tampa. I've never forgotten it and still play the three CD's I bought soon after. And I always felt fortunate that Rebecca and I have been able to keep in touch and meet periodically, most recently in a coastal town in Croatia, on an ancient stone wall surrounding one of the most picturesque spots in the world, Mali Ston.

I've been puzzling over how hard it is to believe that Rebecca is gone. How could that indomitable spirit be gone? But of course, that's the answer -- it isn't. Her spirit doesn't leave us. Her strength, her humor, her optimism, it's all still here. That's Rebecca.

Rebecca Lipkin

Acclaimed journalist Rebecca Lipkin’s colleagues and friends have penned glowing tributes about her storied career, consummate professionalism, and supreme news savvy. But it’s obvious that she’s equally revered for her warmth, inherent goodness, and sense of fun and adventure. Although I’ve seen splashes of Rebecca’s work over the years and know that the accolades heaped upon this extraordinary woman are well deserved, that’s not how I know her. But I’ve got the back-story.

She was an endearing, dimpled cherubic faced child with a shy, mischievous smile. As the camp counselor of this brainy eleven year-old, I saw a thoughtful, clever girl, quick to cuddle and slow to anger.

During our carefree summers at camp in the Catskills, Rebecca Lipkin of Al-Jazeera English and ABC News fame approached life methodically and purposefully. She studied situations and people, sized them up and displayed judgment and wisdom beyond her years. She was serious yet fun loving; independent-minded, but always in the thick of the action with friends.

Although she wasn’t athletic, she thrived in a camp where sports ruled and athletic prowess was highly regarded. Her peers and the staff loved her quick mind, pleasant nature, and wry, deadpan humor.

Rebecca met her best friend, Randi Ribakove, when they were six years old, several years before I arrived at Camp Kewanee, our summer retreat in Parksville, New York. The pair was inseparable, merrily traipsing across campus arms slung around each other’s shoulders, locked in conversation or convulsing in laughter until they fell into bed each night exhausted.

They’d joyfully remind me of their rock solid friendship with a ditty they’d composed to sing (scream) in my ear at will: “Randi and Rebecca blah, blah, blah – Randi and Rebecca blah, blah, blah! What did it mean? I have no idea, and I’m guessing they didn’t either. But for years it was their constant, cacophonous reminder that I was graced with their presence.

I hailed from the tiny town of Livingston Manor, about 20 miles from camp, and Randi and Rebecca delighted in teasing me about my rural roots. They couldn’t fathom life outside the Big Apple and its environs, and peppered me with questions about country life. Did I have indoor plumbing? Were the roads paved? Was the mail delivered by Pony Express?

Bunk life with Randi and Rebecca was filled with uproarious laughter, and I struggled to discipline them on the rare occasions it was necessary. They were more like little sisters than eight-week summer charges.

In addition to fierce inter and intra camp athletics, Kewanee offered an array of programs and activities to showcase campers’ mental acuity, artistic, theatrical or musical talent –especially during Color War, when the entire camp was divided in two and locked in a week long competition.

Rebecca was a star – the camp champ in writing the alphabet backwards. Unflappable, she sat cross-legged on the rec hall floor, brow furrowed, pen flying across the page, finishing the brainteaser in seconds She trounced her competitors annually, even campers several years her senior, but was humble in victory, modestly accepting the adulation of jubilant
teammates.

Rebecca always had a book in hand, often reading while walking and during a game if not otherwise occupied. Not surprisingly she was our “go-to girl” for trivia and “Name That Tune,” her intellect matched by a big heart and keen insight. Even then, she was a voice of reason and a natural negotiator, often mediating the inevitable spats that arose between bunkmates and frenemies.

Counselor salaries at sleep-away camp are notoriously low. So we counted on tips from our campers’ parents to augment our meager salaries. Much like the teaching profession, camp counselors work for their love of children, not their love of money.

In the early 70’s $15 per child was a suggested minimum for supervising a bunk of rambunctious children 24/7,
six-days a week for eight weeks. A $25 dollar tip was good money. One summer the Lipkins sent me $35. I was bowled over by their generosity, but more so by the touching letter from Rebecca’s mother Gladys, thanking me for helping to make Rebecca’s summer so memorable.

I lost touch with my Kewanee friends and campers during the early years of my marriage, but was reunited after a reunion in New York City. Although I was unable to attend, a camp directory was circulated and many of us reconnected.

Several years ago I learned that Rebecca was working for ABC in London, which coincided with my daughter’s studies at Oxford and a family trip to Europe. Coincidentally, Rebecca’s mother was in town, and we lunched with the Lipkin ladies before their departure for Russia on a mother daughter vacation.

We dined at a terrific Italian restaurant and wiled away a couple of hours talking journalism (my profession too, and one of my daughter’s college majors), and recounting those unforgettable mountain summers. Gladys had long forgotten the letter she penned, but I reminded her.

Fast-forward a couple of years to Randi’s shocking news that Rebecca was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer. I corresponded with Rebecca periodically for updates on her treatment. She was appreciative of the good wishes but clearly avoided dwelling on her illness.

I watched her poignant personal story on the internet as she wrestled with the physical and emotional effects of monstrous disease. But Rebecca battled IBC the way she tackled everything – with dignity, courage and humor, self-deprecatingly referring to herself as “a cancer diva.”

I live in Georgia, and while visiting my daughter and son-in-law in New York recently, I had dinner with Randi and her husband. We talked of Rebecca’s declining health, unaware that she had died two days earlier. Had I received the tragic news sooner, I could have arranged to attend her funeral in New York or memorial service in Washington, D.C. where she was mourned and celebrated.

My heart is broken. 48 years old is too young to die. No one so inherently good and accomplished, who touched so many lives personally and professionally should have to face such a tragic end – and no mother should have to bury her child.

In Rebecca, I remember gales of giggles from a precocious child whose insatiable curiosity and spirited sense of wonder about the world undoubtedly set the stage for a brilliant career that took her from Queens to Parksville, and around the globe.

Jami (Schwartz) Gaudet
Macon, Georgia
August 3, 2009

Rebecca was a very brave woman in the way she faced cancer head-on. And even with that battle, she was always warm, giving, and had the rare gift of making life seem a little brighter after spending time with her. She is very much missed.

Rebecca was the executive in charge of the music series I recently made for AlJazeera. It was an ambitious project. She was the anchor that kept the ship steady.

We were planning a second series. She replied to a recent email with "...mom taking care of me..all ok xo". It was very hard to believe she died four days later.

She was so brave, always fair, professional to the very end and supremely lovable.

My sincere condolences go out to her family.

xox Jason

My deepest sympathy to Rebecca's family and friends who loved her so much - my prayers and thoughts are with you all.

You can now view the memorial service in Washington at the above link. It's a very dignified, moving and often funny tribute. I hope you can take the time to watch it.

The following was posted by Becca's good friend, Lou Young, award-winning journalist at WCBS TV and former colleague:

TWO COFFINS

In my business, months can pass without any contact with the dead, so it was unusual to have two different plain wooden coffins pass before me in close proximity on two successive days.

The first coffin, seen here being carried by pallbearers, contained the 92-year-old remains of Walter Cronkite, a man I'd never met but deeply admired; the second contained the body of Rebecca Lipkin, a smart, funny, gentle friend I hadn't spoken with in years, but always expected to see again. She was 48.

Cronkite's funeral was an assignment and, at first, had the familiar feel of a celebrity send-off. There were crowds near the steps of St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church in Park Avenue straining for a glimpse of someone famous ascending the steps. Although the service was originally "invitation only," Cronkite's family decided anyone with a press pass would be allowed to attend.

I hadn't expected that, and so hadn't worn the black "funeral suit" I reserve for such occasions. I was in khaki pants, and blue blazer-- dressed to work the crowd outside. Working journalists clothes at a newsman's funeral, though, seemed somehow appropriate.

I sat near the rear of the church with Rich Lamb from WCBS radio taking notes, filing micro-blogs on twitter, and participating in the prayers of the Episcopal service which are nearly identical to those of the Catholic
Church that Rich and I are both so familiar with. This service ended, though, with a very un-Catholic moment as a Dixie-land band following the coffin out down the center aisle of the historic Byzantine-style church played "When the Saints Come Marching In," a request of the deceased. The music broke the pall that had enveloped the capacity crowd at St. Bart's. I found myself smiling broadly at a man who managed to produce an appropriate ending to his own send-off and I saluted the coffin as it passed.

I filed reports for both the 5 and 11 o'clock newscasts that night and felt honored to be entrusted with such an assignment. Outside the church I interviewed an eclectic group of mourners that included Dan Rather, Morley Safer, Connie Chung, George McGovern, Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara (the legendary husband and wife comedy team and parents of Ben Stiller). Stiller and Meara remembered meeting me years ago at Roger Grimsby's apartment (the late Ch. 7 anchorman and dear friend). Jerry's quite the news junkie, and Anne recalled having to drag him out of the place and the end of a very long evening. She had to repeat the task in the gentle rain on Park Avenue telling him, it was time to go. He told me he met Cronkite only after the anchorman had retired, but Jerry had an developed an endless appetite for Cronkite's stories, and wry sense of humor. I knew that Anne pulled her husband from Uncle Walter's gravitational pull more than a few times. "My heart is broken today," Stiller said, but still managed a thin smile at the memory of his idol. The jazz music was still playing in the background when Morley Safer told me how happy HE was the family included that musical touch. Cronkite, he assured me, wouldn't have wanted a somber send-off.

The next day, driving out to Beth David cemetery in Elmont, Long Island I realized I'd left the black suit hanging in the closet again. This was for Rebecca, though, and I KNEW, a bunch of long-faced friends dressed in black was also the last thing SHE would've wanted. Rebecca was one of the brightest and generous journalists I'd ever met, with a dry observational sense of humor. We worked together at WABC-TV in the 80's and she moved on to ABC Network and eventually to "Nightline," the late night network news show before helping Al Jazeera launch its English language news operations. The rabbi at Rebecca's gravesite remarked how good she must've been at her job, for a Jewish woman to rise to a position of prominence in a predominately male, Muslim organization. He seemed surprised, but most of the mourners were not.

Rebecca made the effort to understand the world. After leaving WABC she interrupted her rising career for a fellowship at the University of Chicago specializing in Middle East Studies. Her expertise broadened as she traveled to Israel and the Palestinian Territories for Nightline in the early 2000's. The last time I saw her, in fact, she was eating dinner at the famous bar in the marvelous American Colony Hotel on that invisible border that separates East and West Jerusalem. The barrel-shaped brick basement at the American Colony was a favorite watering hole of Peter Jennings, Graham Greene and countless journalists, writers and actors who traveled to the Holy Land before and after World War II. It's where Jerusalem's first modern Jewish Mayor, Teddy Kolleck, held court as he tried to govern a city of Jews and Arabs in a confusing and dangerous political climate. It's especially popular on Saturday evenings because the bar and restaurant are open on the sabbath. Israelis, Arabs, and foreigners all mix freely. It is a vision of the peaceful secular world Jerusalem would be in a better world.

We had a lovely evening, as I recall. Rebecca listened to me argue with two French journalists about the American Israeli Lobby. "They have too much influence on your Congress," they said accusingly. "The Congress," I assured them "is merely responding to the legitimate concerns of constituents." Then, the line that got Rebecca laughing: "Perhaps there wouldn't be so many Jewish constituents in America if they hadn't be run out of Europe by rabid anti-semites!" The last line was delivered a far to high a volume for it to be taken as a neutral observation. The French guys, out of their depth for their English proficiency (I clearly wasn't speaking French and didn't seem friendly) simply left muttering to themselves.

I am ashamed now that I cannot remember more about what Rebecca told me that night because I am sure she knew more about the subject at hand than me or those French journalists. I remember, though, being pleased, that my take on the conflict was not dismissed as uninformed. She was a person who's approval people sought. We talked a long time, and I walked her to her room, which had an unusual layout -- a single bedroom with a stone staircase ascending one wall to the restroom on another floor, an extreme example of the American Colony's eclectic charm. It was something to laugh about, and we did. The laughter I remember clearly. Good to see you again. See you soon.

The plain wood coffin was carried past the immediate family to the open grave, and lowered with some difficulty into the oblong rectangle carved into the earth. During this process someone leaned over and whispered, "Rebecca would love it if something incredibly clumsy happened about now." It would have, of course, been difficult for her mother, sister and closest friends who were numb with grief, but for the rest of us I'm sure Rebecca might've enjoyed a sudden trip and topple to break the tension. You would've had to have known her to believe she would've entertained the idea as a programmed part of her send-off.

The mourners were friends and co-workers of all stripes, all equally appalled by the unfairness of Rebecca's death. She had a form of breast cancer that is almost always fatal and had beaten it back twice in a very brave and public way. The story should've ended in victory. She was too talented and funny to be dead. Her 86-year-old mother said that when Rebecca first got sick, she joked that it would be a close call to figure out which one of them would die first. "I can't believe she said that to me," she laughed.

It was sunny and warm and we lined up to each drop a shovel-full of dirt onto the casket as is the Jewish custom. There is a gruesome intimacy to the practice I find unsetteling. Jim Murphy, the top ABC executive in charge of Good Morning America wept. I'd only seen my good friend do that a few times. Rebecca's death was especially hard on him since she had spent part of her last true vacation with him a few weeks previous. She lived in London (luckily I'm told given the tremendous cost of her cancer treatment) and Jim and his wife Adrienne invited her to spend part of the vacation with them in Spain. Rebecca wasn't feeling well, but was determined to enjoy her life while she had it. That trip was the last active thing she did before checking in to the hospital for the final time. Her sister told the Murphys that Rebecca talked about her visit with them on her deathbed. It was a tremendous final gift and I know she was smiling when she spoke. Better for her, somehow harder for us.

Through the tears it's clear to me that the dead don't want us to mourn, especially the good people. It is far better, just to remember how good they were. We mourn anyway.

It is only after days from the loss of my dearest friend Rebecca that I have found the strength to put my thought together about her legacy in my life and in the life of people who have had the fortune to be touched by her charisma and zest for life. After meeting her in 2002 I immediately realized her exceptional intelligence and genuine interest in people. I learned to appreciate her even more while our friendship grew closer, for her humor, her generosity and her incredible strength. We came from very different backgrounds and professions and enriched each other, sharing our different experiences. We both had a genuine and insatiable love for people, for their life's journey in this world. We shared the passion for traveling, food, cinema and good things in life,but most we valued friendship as the most enriching treasure of life. Rebecca showed, even more, her incredible courage when first diagnosed suffering from cancer, remaining hopeful to defeat the illness although very aware of her slim chances and of the discouraging statistics . I have not met yet, any one, in my personal and professional life, so strong and inspiring, able to go through the ordeal of the illness and continue to work and enjoy even more, each sunset and laughter with her friends and beloved family. She has been such an incredible friend that her loss has left me overwhelmed with grief and longing for one more of her jokes, smiles and magic moments together.
>
> Your passion for life, your happiness and gratitude for the gifts that life has given you will always remind me of you my dear > Rebecca, but most of all your presence in my life is one of the greatest gift that life has offered me.
> Good bye my dearest beloved friend.

Massimo

I'll never forget Rebecca's smile, her laugh, and her keen sense of the absurdity of it all. She welcomed me with open arms when I came to ABC, and we shared many good times at DiCarlos, with Dennis, Mary and John. In London it was always a joy to get an email or phone call from Rebecca - she was always interested in what we were doing - even while she was engaged in her own fight. Our family was in Jackson, WY when Rebecca passed away - its clear to us why it was one of her favorite places. We will miss her so much. We celebrate her life as we send our heartfelt condolences to her family.

Rebecca,
I hope your having fun wherever you are. Your passing has made me think about existence after death. Before I was so convinced when that someone dies, thats it. Their life is over, nothing more follows. However, alone on my flight home after your memorial in DC looking out the window, I thought, that can't be it. How could something or someone with a character as strong as yours just vanish. Whilst still alive I will never have an answer about life after death thus all we can do is believe in our hope. I hope some part or every part of you is still around whether its your soul, spirit or even a ghost. In fact I reckon you would have a lot of fun as a ghost flying around the world, chilling out with other ghosts, spying on famous people... Maybe I will join you one day for ghostly Bolognese and spliff session... In order to keep up with tradition of course!

But for now, you were so interested in my life we had so many interesting and close conversations. You were my first catering job, you trusted me for some unknown reason to cook for your fireworks party and showed me I could do it, a long list of jobs have followed from that night and for each one I thank you.

You were'nt just my mums friend, you were my friend. A friend I looked up to. You did'nt deserve to die. Even though this may offer little compensation to you, you must know you are being remembered amazingly happy and full of life.

Thank you for everything
Charles x o x o xo

I just found out about the passing of Becca yesterday. I can not even begin to put into words the sorrow I feel for her family and friends, as I feel I lost a friend too. It was hard not to feel that way once you've met Becca. In 15 minutes, she had your story, and you knew it was in good hands. She inspired me not just live life, but live life well. I think we can all say that having known her. To Becca!

Rebecca was my mom Randi's best friend from early childhood. I met her on only a few occasions, and yet she managed to influence my life through her guidance regarding the world of journalism. Rebecca not only encouraged me to continue to pursue it, but also put me on the right path by recommending a journalism program where I met some of my own life-long best friends.

Rebecca was at our house the morning my dad's best friend died of cancer, and I remember hugging her in her sushi pajamas, too afraid to look at my dad. When my parents went to London to visit Rebecca shortly after she was diagnosed, they brought back pictures of Rebecca in her sushi pajamas. I will never forget those sushi pajamas.

I am forever thankful to Rebecca for being such a huge part of my mom's life, and I know she has already been sorely missed.

Hay folks, I'm trying to upload Becca's tribute video onto Youtube, but due to Copyright "issues" I can only get it up onto my Facebook page. Stay tuned!

I read about Rebecca's life and death in the Brown Alumni Monthly. I am a Brown grad, class of 1988, and I lost my sister Nina to Inflammatory Breast Cancer in 2003. She was 41 years old. I was moved by Rebecca's story and wanted to express my sincere condolences to her family and friends. I was so sorry to hear that this horrible disease took another beautiful life, and wanted to write in and thank you for sharing her story.

I am so sorry to read this. My emails to rebecca kept coming back and while surfing her name on the Internet I found out that she died.
God, I loved this woman I have met through Al jazeera who bought my tvproduction Couscous&Cola.
rebecca was visting our performing Arts Lab last June, looking so well and everybody instantly loved her, because it is so easy to love her. So much fun and so much proffesionalism is a thing that is rare in the tv buisness. I will think about her for the rest of my life and knowing how fond she was of her family want to express my deepest sympathy for all of you. You must miss her so much. I still have pictures of her from june, would you like to have these?
take care and lots of love from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, maartje nevejan.

Marrtje Nevejan sent this news to me today and I am SO sorry to hear this.. the memory of Rebecca is very alive in my mind from her visit to us in this year in June at our PAL Lab where a group of young artists, activists and journalists were working together in an experimental way that interested her. She asked such astute questions and got wonderful responses.
There are very few like her in British Television. I hope her professional colleagues might somehow find a way of making her brilliant ways of working better known to young people who want to get into this business.
As someone who only met her twice I will never forget how refreshing these meetings were and how lucky I was to have had them.
Susan Benn

Ah, it's a shame that the world had to lose Becca so young. My heart goes out to her family, and to Dori and her other close friends. I hope that you'll all get a smile from the photo I just uploaded, of Becca as a gun-totin' 3-year-old!