Rebecca Ruthann Shea

Rebecca Ruthann Shea Saldana, lovingly known as Becky, was born on May 6, 1975, at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital in California. She was the daughter of Sanford Hampton and Mary Hill, and was adopted in 1978 by Michael and Susie Shea in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Becky was an energetic child, always on the move. She excelled in sports—soccer, softball, basketball, and track—and cherished her moment in the spotlight playing at halftime during a Utah Jazz game at the Salt Palace.

Off the field, Becky brought joy everywhere she went. She loved to sing and dance—even if she often got the lyrics wrong or missed the beat. What she lacked in polish, she made up for with enthusiasm and humor. Her signature “push it / pull it” dance move became legendary among friends, and she proudly kept dancing even after hip and knee replacements.

After returning to California, Becky attended high school in San Diego, where she met a close-knit group of friends who stayed with her for life. Her love of sports carried into adulthood as she coached coed softball, sharing lessons learned from her dad, Mike.

Becky earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Cal State San Marcos. She worked in various roles throughout her career, but it was while working at Round Table Pizza that she met the love of her life, Ernest Saldana. Together, they built a beautiful life full of love and laughter. Their bond was deeply affirmed in July 2005, when Becky’s grandfather, Rt. Rev. Sanford (Bishop Sandy) Z.K. Hampton, blessed their relationship in a heartfelt ceremony surrounded by loved ones.

In the early ’90s, Becky was diagnosed with AIDS during a time when the stigma was overwhelming. But true to form, she refused to be defined by it. With courage, resilience, and her famously “hard head,” Becky faced every challenge with strength and grace.

Her passion for life extended into activism. She founded Bec's Besties, a fundraising group for the San Diego AIDS Walk, raising thousands of dollars over the years and receiving numerous awards for her efforts. Becky had a rare gift for making people feel seen and loved, whether you were a lifelong friend or someone she had just met.

Becky is survived by her life partner and husband, Ernest Saldana; her father, Sanford Hampton; stepmother, Iris Hampton; and mother, Susan Shea. She is also survived by her brother, protector and best friend, Brian Hampton; brothers Ryan (Kathy) Damm, Brad (Ashley) Damm, Kerry Damm, Chris (Teresa) Shea, Kyle (Britney) Shea, and Nathan (Rachel) Hampton; sisters Gina Hill, Nicki (David) Bland, Robyn Shea, Karen (Mike) Schoenfeld, Leila (Parry) Kuhn, and Kelsy Damm.

Becky was preceded in death by her birth mother, Mary Hill; her father, Mike Shea; and her paternal grandparents, Sanford and Mary Hampton.

One of Becky’s greatest joys was being “Aunt Bok Bok” to her many nieces and nephews. Her warmth, humor, and radiant smile will live on in all who knew her.