Lois Hecht

Lois Joy (Haenlein) Hecht, a devoted educator who taught hundreds of Dorset's children to read over more than four decades, died April 15, 2018 at the Rutland Regional Medical Center after a long illness. She was 81 years old and a grateful resident of Manchester Center for nearly 50 years. The cause of death was renal failure. Daughter of the late Louis and Emma (Hunneke) Haenlein, Mrs. Hecht was born June 18, 1936 in Baldwin, NY. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Norman Lincoln Hecht, as well as her brother, Robert, and sister, Doris, who died of pneumonia before Mrs. Hecht was born. Her six beloved German shepherds also preceded her: Baron von Steer, Thor, Lexie, Mica, Mica and Gemma. The older Mrs. Hecht got, the more she preferred their company to humans'. Survivors include Mrs. Hecht's four nieces: Joy, Margaret, Kim and Betty, and their families. Mrs. Hecht was a lifelong learner who encouraged others -especially women - to pursue professional development. An excellent student growing up in Baldwin, NY, and at the University of Connecticut (BA,1958) and Hofstra University (MS,1961), she acquired 72 credits beyond her master's degree. She read thousands of books from the Mark Skinner and Manchester Community libraries in her hometown. Word-search games and nightly appointments with "Wheel of Fortune" and Jeopardy" kept her mind sharp. She remembered every student she had over 44 years, as well as their parents and siblings - and which of them she had taught, too. Mrs. Hecht loved being a teacher. Her first job was in the Baldwin, NY, school system, where taught first grade for 12 years. When her parents retired to Manchester Center in 1968, Mr. and Mrs. Hecht followed and built their house next door to them. By 1970, Mrs. Hecht was teaching at The Dorset School. She taught second grade for 23 years and third grade for 5 years. Creative and artistic, Mrs. Hecht designed classroom bulletin boards and activities to make learning fun, taking her cues from television game shows and popular culture of the times. She loved children and their sense of humor. Reading instruction was her specialty. She retired from The Dorset School in 1998 and closed out her teaching career as a long-term substitute in Manchester school system for 4 years, but continued to "troubleshoot" for reading teachers and literacy volunteers for many years. She and her husband took classes together and loved Maine in the summer for its blueberry pancakes and waterfront living. In later years, Mr. and Mrs. Hecht traveled to Toronto to bargain-shop and stock up at Chapters, The World's Largest Bookstore. Her life was enriched by the view of the Green Mountains from her living room, and the wonderful community she found in Manchester. She was active in Go Getters, Rupert Leisures, Neighbor to Neighbor, Interfaith Council and Northshire Seniors, among other organizations. So many pitched in to help when she became ill. Kim White at Stella's Beauty Salon, Mrs. Hecht's hairdresser for more than 20 years, made house calls. Cheryl Stillson of the Manchester Library selected and even dropped off the latest mysteries for Mrs. Hecht to read. The time and attention of parishioners at The First Baptist Church of Manchester, especially Lindy Mylott and the Rev. Rebecca Simmons, made Mrs. Hecht, a baptized Lutheran, feel "adopted." Her wonderful neighbors were always there for her, as were dear friends Thelma Dundon, Edie Tennant and Audrey Crandall. The care of Sadie Sargent, Taelore Black and Kami Buck enabled her to stay in her home for months longer than expected. The generosity and kindness of Martha and Michael Thompson never will be forgotten. A celebration of Mrs. Hecht's life will be held In Manchester Center at a later date. Private burial will be at Mettawee Valley Cemetery in Pawlet, VT. Mrs. Hecht suggested contributions in her memory be made to The Manchester Community Library, PO Box 1105, Manchester Center, VT, 05255 or the K9 training unit of the Vermont Police Academy, 317 Academy Rd., Pittsford VT, 05763. A celebration of Mrs. Hecht's life will be held In Manchester Center at a later date. Private burial will be at Mettawee Valley Cemetery in Pawlet, VT.