Birth date: Jul 25, 1931 Death date: Feb 13, 2015
Audrey L. Stecher, 83, died peacefully Friday, February 13, 2015 at her home after a brief illness surrounded by her family. Audrey was married to Lt. Col. William F. Stecher, Jr. (U.S. Army, Retired), for 62 years. She was born Read Obituary
my prayers are with you all, RIP
Dear Audrey was my sister, what can I say? It is hard for me to accept this. They say "Do not cry because she is gone. Smile because she was here" That does not work for me, not yet anyway. May God bless her soul through eternity. Jim McDonald
A wonderful woman. Very strong and direct-never a hidden agenda. She put me in my place many times! She and Bill made such a great couple. I used to love to hear them go round and round on things! It was a pleasure to know her and have her as a part of my life. She will be missed. Garnett Smith
My Mother's Hands by Louisa May Alcott (1833-1888)
Such beautiful, beautiful hands!
They're neither white nor small;
And you, I know, would scarcely think
That they are fair at all.
I've looked on hands whose form and hue
A sculptor's dream might be;
Yet are those aged, wrinkled hands
More beautiful to me.
Such beautiful, beautiful hands!
Though heart were weary and sad,
Those patient hands kept toiling on,
That children might be glad.
I always weep, as, looking back
To childhood's distant day,
I think how those hands rested not
When mine were at their play.
Such beautiful, beautiful hands!
They're growing feeble now,
For time and pain have left their mark
On hands and heart and brow.
Alas! Alas! the nearing time,
And the sad, sad day to me,
When 'neath the daisies, out of sight,
These hands will folded be.
But oh! beyond this shadow land,
Where all is bright and fair,
I know full well these dear old hands
Will palms of victory bear;
Where crystal streams through endless years
Flow over golden sands,
And where the old grow young again,
I'll clasp my mother's hands.
"Let us toast twice. First, to the older generation: May your days come to be many, full of comfort and understanding. May they be spent knowing that those days past have held a completeness uncommon and unknown to many, and that every detail of your being continues in the lives of those who follow. To the younger generation: May we accept these gifts, knowing that they are of this tradition, of this old-fashioned courage, of ethics, and that they can be carried along forever like rusting relics or they can be worn as wings. Let us wear them as wings."
Audrey, you have been my best friend as well as my adoptive mother. You have set an example that will be hard to follow. Thank you for teaching me to stand-up for myself and how to find, within myself, whatever I need to make it through this world. Thank you for all the stories you have told about growing up, about being an Army wife, and about how to be a "mom". A day will never go by that I won't be thinking about you. Most of all, Audrey, thank you for your love, respect and understanding. Give Bill a hug for me!
Love, Diane (and John - your tech support!)
