Martha C. Hecht

Martha Catherine (Peters) Hecht was born January 15, 1922 in St. Louis, MO to Rev. William D. and May Peters.  She was baptized and confirmed at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Louis where her father served as pastor for many years.  She enjoyed singing with the Lutheran Hour Choir, an experience that served her well in the future.  She and her identical twin, Esther, frequently played identity tricks with family, friends, and teachers.

On October 7, 1945, Martha married Otto Hecht in Winston-Salem, NC at St. John Lutheran Church where her brother-in-law, Rev. Richard Meibohm was serving as pastor.  Her older sister, Ruth, loved playing cupid for this young couple.  Over the years, they were blessed with two children, Elizabeth (Thomas) DeMik and John (Melody) Hecht; six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. They moved several times following Otto’s career with the USDA and finally settled in New Bern, NC in 1955. Shortly after celebrating 63 years of marriage, Otto died in 2008 and Martha stayed in New Bern until moving to Maryland in 2015 to be close to family.

In addition to being a dedicated wife and mother, Martha enjoyed directing many weddings and worked at the New Bern Flight Service Station/FAA for over 25 years.  Once she and Otto both retired, they enjoyed traveling to many foreign countries with church groups.  She was also active in many community organizations and bible studies.  Martha was a gifted seamstress and she loved to bake, spoiling her family and friends with delicious homemade goodies.

Everyone who knew Martha saw that she was a woman of deep faith in her Lord.  The Hecht home was filled with the love of Christ and family devotions and prayers were a daily event.  At every church they attended, Martha took on the role of choir director, using her musical talents to God’s glory

She was a constant example of love and service to God and to others.  Her favorite bible verse was  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Phil. 4:13.

Martha will be missed, but she leaves behind a legacy of faith in her Lord and Savior that will live on through her beloved family and all who knew and loved her for the last 94 years.

Funeral arrangements:  Monday, May 23, 2016 Family visitation 10:00-11:00 am followed by the celebration of her life Worship Service at 11:00 am at Our Savior Lutheran Church 13611 Laurel-Bowie Road  Laurel MD.

 Service Information