Regina Gertrude Cogan BECHT

BECHT, Regina Gertrude Cogan, 87, left this life peacefully with her family by her side on September 25, 2009. Jean was born on July 14, 1922 in Brooklyn, New York to Gertrude Regina and Paul Francis Cogan. Jean graduated from St. Joseph's College and attended Columbia University graduate school and later taught English. She married U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Edward Becht on October 1, 1949 and moved to Lexington, Virginia where they raised seven children. Jean was an active member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church, the Lexington Women's Club and the Lexington Garden Club (over 50 years). She enjoyed tennis, field hockey, golf, bridge, travel, her friends and family. Jean was predeceased by her loving husband, Joe of 49 years; her parents, Gertrude and Paul; her brother, Paul; and her sister, Agnes. Jean is survived by her sister, Rosemary Lambert of White Plains, N.Y.; her seven children, Anne Kavanaugh (William), Fernandina, Fla., Joseph Becht (Suzanne), Richmond, Va., John Becht, Richmond, Va., Mary Blalock, Fernandina, Fla., Paul Becht (Audrey), Atlanta, Ga., Clare Semler, Virginia Beach, Va. and Rosemarie Jowdy, Richmond, Va.; 17 grandchildren, Hardee, Jamie, Sarah, Molly Kavanaugh, Lindsey, Richard, Julia, Jeremy Becht, Meredith, Catie, Laura, Stuart Blalock, Cogan, Colin, Megan, Jake Semler and Andy Jowdy Jr.; and four great-grandchildren, Kate, Will, Anna and Hinton Kavanaugh. The family welcomes friends Thursday, October 1, 5 to 7 p.m. at Harrison's Funeral Home with Father Joe D'Auora officiating the Rosary Prayer. The mass funeral service will be held at St. Patrick's Church on Friday, October 2 at 11 a.m. with a private family burial service at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Catholic Church.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.