Lea Hecht

Carolyn Lea Hecht, 82, of Cape Girardeau died peacefully in her sleep Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Marble Hill, Missouri. She was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Sept. 25, 1939, to Inscoe Byrl and Cleda Evelyn King Jarrett. After the family moved through several small towns in Southern Illinois, they settled in Princeton, Indiana, where Lea graduated from high school in 1957. She then went to all-female William Woods Junior College. After becoming the first female to take a class at Westminster Junior College, she graduated from William Woods with an associate of arts in 1959. Moving to the University of Missouri, she fell in love with singing in the University Singers and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1961. Lea then taught fourth grade at Grandview Elementary School for two years, during which she met Harvey Hecht, whom she married on Aug. 4, 1962. Moving to Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1963, where Harvey was pursuing graduate work, she taught in various schools before the birth of their son, Matthew Gregory, May 29, 1966, and their daughter, Laura Michelle, Feb. 22, 1969. After the family moved to Cape Girardeau in the fall of 1969, Lea spent years in Cub Scout and Girl Scout work, served as director of preschool at Westminster Presbyterian Church. She completed a master’s degree in English at the University of Tennessee and became an instructor at Southeast Missouri State University. During her 32 years there, she taught composition and literature, but most of her work was in the Writing Center, where she tirelessly worked with students ranging from freshmen to graduate students, including a future department chair at Southeast. She was an original member of the group of scorers for the Writing Proficiency Exam. For several years she scored writing samples for the College Board SAT exams in Princeton, New Jersey, occasionally catching a play at the New York theaters nearby. One of her greatest experiences was living in London and traveling throughout Europe while Harvey taught in the Missouri London Program two different semesters. Matt and Laura were able to join them for a month. Lea enjoyed all sorts of games, board and card, but was happiest at a bridge table. A big baseball fan, she and Harvey made frequent trips to Kansas City and St Louis to see the Royals and Cardinals play. In football, she cheered for the universities of Missouri and Tennessee. She helped organize Southeast’s English faculty’s caroling students between classes during final exam week. Lea convinced Harvey to join her in several choirs, most recently at First Presbyterian and Southeast Missouri State’s Choral Union, before physical problems forced her to quit. With a Choral Union tour, she sang in Rome, Venice, Vienna and a Sunday service at The Duomo in Florence. With other choral groups, she and Harvey sang at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and at the National Fourth of July Celebration. Summer frequently found her and Harvey in their beloved Maine. For the last few years in the fall, they spent a month enjoying the beautiful beach at Okaloosa Island, Florida, with friends and family. In retirement, she and Harvey enjoyed several cruises. Favorite stops were Paris, Monet’s Garden, Normandy, Omaha Beach, Santorini, Malta, Mykonos and the Acropolis. She is survived by Harvey; a son, Matthew Gregory (a twin with John Carl) Hecht; a daughter, Laura Michelle Emmons; three grandsons, Troy Emmons, Adam Brown and Justin Brown; granddaughter, Abigail Emmons; great-grandson, Landon Brown; great-granddaughter, Reagan Brown; and numerous nephews and nieces. Lea was preceded in death by her parents and a son, John Carl Hecht. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau, with the Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau, Westminster Presbyterian Church of Cape Girardeau or the Southeast Cancer Center. Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.