Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Beverly Ruth Hecht

Beverly Ruth Hecht, age 53 of Racine, passed away peacefully at Hospice Alliance in Pleasant Prairie after a battle with pancreatic cancer, December 22, 2009. She was surrounded by her mother, Eunice (Hartig) Hecht; sister, Kathryn Smith of West Allis; and her brother Kenneth Hecht of Racine.

Survivors include nephews Adam (Selena) Smith of Florida, Matthew Smith of Waukesha, Andrew (Dee) Smith of Pewaukee, and Daniel Hecht of Arizona. She has eight great-nieces and nephews. Many dear friends include Pastor and Ruth Feldcher, the DuBiel Family, and the countless kids of the community whose lives she touched.

Beverly was preceded in death by her father, Raymond Hecht; sister-in-law, Debra (Vogt) Hecht; grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Beverly dedicated her life to working with youth. She attended Racine Lutheran High School and went on to obtain her Bachelor's degree at Concordia College in Seward, Nebraska. She interned at Lutheran Chapel of the Cross under Pastor Feldcher’s direction, then moved to churches in Fresno, CA, and Houston, TX as Director of Christian Education and Youth Ministry. She taught high school English for a few years, then returned to Racine where she touched the lives of hundreds of youths at Taylor Home, and recently as Case Manager at the Young Leaders Academy at the YMCA.

A celebration of Beverly’s life will be on Sunday, December 27, 2009, with visitation from 3-5 p.m., and a tribute to her life at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services for Beverly will be held on Monday, December 28, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Chapel of the Cross, 1426 N. Fancher Rd. (Hwy H) with Rev. Daniel Feldcher officiating. Relatives and friends may meet with the family on Monday at 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Private internment will be at West Lawn Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mullane, Kelly, and the others at Oncology Alliance; Sally and Leslie for their tender loving care; and members of Chapel of the Cross for their unending devotion.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests continuing Beverly’s dedication to youth with memorials to Racine Lutheran High School, Racine Foundation (Taylor Home Foundation) or Chapel of the Cross

Wilson Funeral Home
1212 Lathrop Ave., Racine 262-634-3361

1 comment:

Rev. Schaar said...

My sympathies to one and all. While I know none of you, Bev was my DCE at Emmanuel Lutheran in Fresno. She introduced me to the musical "Godspell." I largely lost touch with her after we both moved away from Fresno -- last I heard she was in Texas. I have often thought about her and the way she helped shape my life. I was surprised when I heard of her death. My prayers are with you all! Thanks for sharing Bev with us!
Reverend Christopher Schaar,
Historic First Lutheran Church, Pasadena, CA
Firstpasa@aol.com