Donna Lee (Sechrist) McDermott Bechtel

Donna (Sechrist) McDermott Bechtel

A Traveler -

Donna (Sechrist) McDermott Bechtel, age 72, of Mechanicsburg , died at LifeCare Hospital in Mechanicsburg  surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, September 16, 2014.  Donna was born on Monday, January 19, 1942 in Fawn Grove to the late Robert Gilbert Sechrist and Vera Belle (Briggs) Sechrist.  Donna was the widow of Larry L. McDermott whom she married on June 13, 1959 and who died on October 6, 1998 and Maynard L. Bechtel whom she married on August 20, 2003 and who died on December 8, 2011.  In addition to her parents and husbands, Donna is preceded in death by her sisters, Phyllis Crone and Elizabeth Sechrist.

Donna’s survivors include her children: LuRilla McDermott Pensinger of Mechanicsburg, Dawn Gochenaur and her husband, Doug, of Mechanicsburg, Harriet Richardson and her husband, Todd Sheaffer, of Enola; her grandchildren: Alexandra Pensinger of Mechanicsburg, Corey Gochenaur of Mechanicsburg, Cody Richardson of Harrisburg; her great-grandson,  Blake Richardson; her siblings: LuRilla Kraly and her husband, Richard, of Lake Meade, Judy Witters of Dillsburg, Patricia Lee and her husband, Jack, of Mechanicsburg; and many nieces and nephews.

Donna graduated from Mechanicsburg High School as part of the class of 1959.  She was employed at both the New Cumberland Army Depot and the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot for over 14 years, and at Roadway in Carlisle.  Donna was a great supervisor of her family and she thought her children could fix and take care of anything around the house.  Some of Donna’s favorite pastimes included camping, fishing, crafts, slot machines, and playing all kinds of games.  Donna loved to travel; taking trips up and down the East Coast and to the Gulf of Mexico, and riding a train across the United States.  Donna and her husband, Larry, enjoyed many Penn State football games and tailgating in their motor home.  One of Donna’s hobbies was building a miniature house out of discarded items that she would find and turn into gems for her house.  Donna’s children remember her knack for identifying what a Christmas gift was and where it came from just by smelling the box. Donna was deeply adored by her husband Larry and she will be missed by her family.

All are welcome to join Donna’s family at her Gathering of Family and Friends on Monday, September 22, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. until time of service at 6:00 p.m. at Myers - Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory , 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Celebrant George A. Spangler officiating.

Cremation and burial in Mt. Tabor Cemetery in Aspers will be private and at the family’s convenience. The family suggests memorial contributions to Hospice of Central Pennsylvania , 1320 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

Donna’s family has entrusted her care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Donna’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, and sign her official guest book at www.Myers-Buhrig.com .