ALTON - Sister Pearl Elizabeth Becker (also known as Sister Canisius) died July 30 at the Ursuline Queen of Peace Infirmary, age 92.

She was born Jan. 9, 1916, in Maxville, Mo., daughter of Barney J. and Lena Schneider Becker. She attended Immaculate Conception Grade School in Arnold and later Ursuline Academy in St. Louis. Upon graduating in June 1935, she entered the Ursuline novitiate in Alton. She received her bachelor's degree in education from Fontbonne College in Clayton, Mo., in 1956. She began her long career as a primary education teacher at Immaculate Conception School in Arnold, then spent three years in Springfield at St. Aloysius School. This was followed by service in Jennings, Festus, DeSoto, Arnold and St. Mary, all in Missouri. In 1953, Sister Pearl spent a year at tertianship, a renewal program for Ursulines, in Rome. After her return to the United States, she taught Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Galveston, Texas, for nine years. In 1982, she returned to Springfield and St. Aloysius School, where she worked until she moved to Alton in June 2005.

Of her six siblings, three survive: Sister Julia Becker, OSU, of Alton, Edna Marquette of St. Louis and Cecilia Wallman of Festus, Mo. She was preceded in death by brothers, Edward and Albert; and sister, Marie Blumer.

The funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 4 at the Ursuline Convent Chapel, in Alton, with Father Shawn Monahan presiding.

Memorials may be made to the Ursuline Infirmary, 845 Danforth St., Alton, IL 62002.