Martha Hecht

Martha Hecht age 92 of Celina departed this life on Monday morning, October 7, 2024 at Miller Place in Celina. She lived a full life which became more challenging during the last few months.

Martha Hecht was born in Celina, Ohio on February 12, 1932. She spent her childhood on the family dairy farm on Erastus Durbin Rd. She graduated from Rockford High School in 1950 as Valedictorian. In September 1950, she married Robert Hecht, and they celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary prior to Bob’s death in 2017. 

Martha was the youngest child of Catherine (Smalley) and Carl Hawk. She had three siblings who are now deceased, Robert (Judy) Hawk, Mary Ann (Robert) Coppage and Richard (Marilyn) Hawk. Throughout her life, Martha was close with her many aunts and uncles from the Smalley and Hawk families. She was also a beloved aunt to her many nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her sons Steve Hecht (Aleita Ailes) London, OH, Rev. William (Debra) Hecht, Winter Haven FL as well as her daughter Ellen Hecht (John Torrance) Celina. She is predeceased by her son and daughter-in-law David and Jennie Hecht of Sandusky. Martha was an attentive grandma to her nine grandchildren Brian, Erik, Kirsten, Heidi, Rob, Nick, Phil, Anna and Noelle as well as her six great-grandchildren. She was always ready to help out her family, and her grandkids loved her very much.

As a young mother, Martha was busy raising her children and working as a partner with her husband, Bob, to further his insurance agency. Together with Bob, Martha hosted and catered many large gatherings for his agents and their wives in Celina. Their lake home in Syracuse, Indiana was also a favorite place for the agents and their families to spend weekends boating and relaxing. 

When her kids were no longer little, Martha chose to further her education earning her AA in Sociology from Wright State Lake Campus. She went on to earn her RN from Lima Tech and her BSN from Bluffton College embarking on a nursing career that spanned her mid 40’s through her mid 70’s. Martha worked in a variety of clinical settings including physician's office, OB and Med-Surg wards in city hospitals and area nursing homes.

Martha loved to read, garden and cook. She prepared many delicious holiday and birthday dinners for her family. She was especially well known for her spaghetti and meatballs, beef and noodles and German chocolate cake. She was interested in history, people and cultures, never turning down an opportunity to travel at home or abroad with family and friends. Most importantly, Martha was known as a kind hearted, generous person who loved others and enjoyed life. 

Visitation will be held from 1:00-4:00 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina. The family will also welcome friends from 10:00-11:00 AM Monday prior to the service. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 AM Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Cisco Funeral Home, Celina, officiated by Rev. William Hecht. Burial will be in North Grove Cemetery, Celina.

Contributions in Martha's memory can be directed to Mercer County Civic Foundation, Lake Area Arts Group (note or write in memo) P O Box 439 Celina OH 45822 or to Grand Lake Hospice 1122 E Spring St, St Marys OH 45885.

The staff at Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys is honored to care for Martha and her family. To share your condolences or memories, please visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or the Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.