Terry Becker, left, and Brittney Gunther met for the first time at a celebration of life party for Terry's son, Corey Becker, who died early this year of COVID-19. Gunther, an EMT, kept Terry informed of Corey's condition while in the hospital.

JEFFERSON TWP — Family and friends of the late Corey Becker celebrated his life Saturday with their “angel” from Utah who helped them understand the medical treatment he was receiving there for COVID-19 that ultimately claimed his life in October.

When Corey, who would have turned 36 last Wednesday, became ill and was placed on a ventilator, staff at Intermountain Medical Center in Utah frequently called his mother, Terry Becker, at her home near Saxonburg to update her on his condition and treatments.

Her angel, Brittney Gunther, 34, an advanced emergency medical technician in Utah, called Terry to interpret the medical terminology the hospital staff used to describe Corey's status and the treatment he was receiving.

Brittney's father was Corey's landlord in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. He took Corey to the hospital and gave Brittney his parent's phone number.

Corey moved to Utah for a job with a data security firm in the spring of 2020. He graduated from Knoch High School in 2003.

Along with her husband John Gunther, Brittney flew into Pittsburgh on Wednesday to take part in Saturday's celebration at his parents' house.When Terry and her husband, Paul Becker, picked up the Gunthers from the airport, it was the first time they met.Brittney never met Corey due to COVID restrictions in the hospital, but Terry calls her an angel and her “lifelong new daughter.”In addition to deciphering medical terms, Brittney arranged for Corey's ashes to be brought to his family and connected them with free lodging when they went to Utah.“I said, I got you,” Brittney said.She calls the connection she has made with the Becker family divine intervention. Part of it was because Corey was a firefighter in the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Department.“The minute I heard he was a fire fighter, he was a brother,” Brittney said. “I'm proud to help a brother. That bond between fire and EMS, there's no boundary even though I never met Corey.”Terry said Corey contracted COVID, but was trying to cope with it at home.His landlord knew it and checked in on him Oct. 9. Realizing he was having difficulty breathing, he took Corey to a hospital, where he was placed in the intensive care unit. Corey called home and talked to Terry from the ICU that day.“That was the last time I talked to him,” Terry said. 'They put on a ventilator that night. By the 29th, he was gone.”However, the mood was cheerful Saturday at the Beckers' rural home.“I have a great tribe,” Terry said.The Beckers, their daughter Kayla, other family member, friends and members of the fire company joined for a cookout and fellowship.John Gunther connected and played Corey's video games. The Beckers took the Gunthers to Fallingwater in Fayette County, a place on John's bucket list, and to Shanksville in Somerset County to see the Flight 93 National Memorial.“It's so green,” Brittney said about Western Pennsylvania. “I'm from the desert.”The Gunthers were set to fly home Sunday, anxious to get back to their three children.“I feel it's me that learned so much and gained so much. I learned that God is in the details, we gain more when we serve and love has no boundaries or distance,” Brittney said.“I think she was the perfect person to get involved. Terry needed help. I don't think it was a coincidence at all,” John said.<b>This story was updated at 11:15 a.m. Monday, May 24 to correct Corey Becker's last name. It was previously written as Booker.</b>

Terry Becker, left, and Brittney Gunther met for the first time at a celebration of life party for Terry's son, Corey Becker, (framed high school picture) who died early this year of COVID-19. Gunther, an EMT, kept Terry informed of Corey's condition while in the hospital.