Geraldine E. "Gerry" Hecht, 87, of Effingham died at 8:12 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at her home in rural Effingham.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Mary Help of Christians Church, Green Creek (rural Effingham). Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery, Effingham. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Bauer Funeral Home, Effingham, with a 6:30 p.m. parish rosary. Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite local school, the School Sisters of Natre Dame or the donor's choice.

Geraldine was born Nov. 18, 1923, in Peoria, the daughter of Frank and M. Mae (Hall) Lawler. She married Daniel J. "Dan" Hecht on Feb. 16, 1946, and he preceded her in death in 2001.

Gerry was mainly a homemaker, however, she had worked for a time in the home fashions department at J.C. Penney. She had also worked from her home as a seamstress for many years. She was a talented and prolific artist, using pencils, watercolors and pastels. Her interest in the arts is shown by her membership in the Effingham Art Guild and FACE.

Gerry also enjoyed playing golf, a good game of bridge and still devoted much time to her horses, barn and pasture. She was also a member of St. Mary Help of Christians Church, Green Creek, and the Council of Catholic Women. Although she had varied interests, hobbies and pastimes, her priorities were founded in her love of church, family and friends.

She is survived by four daughters, Colleen (George) Nuxoll of Sigel, Judith (William) Cody of Austin, Texas, Sister Carol Jean Hecht, SSND of O'Fallon, Mo., and Kathleen M. Miller of Effingham; four sons, Daniel E. (wife, Paula), James J. (wife, Julie), Robert F. (wife, Janet) and Gerald A. (wife, Donna), all of Effingham; 22 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one sister, Anna Mary; one grandchild; and one great-grandchild.