PHYLLIS E. HECHTMAN
Phyllis E. Hechtman of McLean, VA died on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Fairfax Hospital after a more than three decade battle against MS and more recently dementia and throat cancer. She is survived by her adoring husband Robert, and her beloved son Douglas. Born in Brooklyn, NY on December 29, 1941, she was raised by her widowed mother, Lydia. She graduated from Brooklyn College with a BS in Physical Education and spent a year at the University of California, Santa Barbara. She married Robert on June 22, 1964 and joined him in adventure through his Foreign Service career starting in Santiago, Chile where their son Douglas was born in 1970. Later posts were in Guatemala and then Panama.Phyllis was a PE and health instructor in DC public schools and an enthusiastic subscriber to the Washington Ballet, Signature and Shakespeare theaters. In Guatemala she helped lead the local PTA and support for the new Maya school campus. Back in the US she completed the Publishing Specialist Program at GWU, became Editorial Assistant on the"1990 Surgeon General's Report on Smoking Cessation" and later became editor of the Fairfax League of Women Voters Newsletter.Energetic and athletic, she enjoyed taking cruises and traveling throughout the National Park system. She enjoyed exploring local cultures, historic sites and arts and crafts throughout Latin America. An extensive interview by the Foreign Affairs Oral History Program about her experiences overseas appears in the Library of Congress website at: hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mfdip.2004hec01.Graveside services will be held Friday, August 25, at 11 a.m. at National Memorial Park, 7400 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the National MS Society. See additional information atwww.adventfuneral.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Aug. 23, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for PHYLLIS HECHTMAN

4 Entries

September 17, 2017

Bob, it was good to see you at Fred's birthday party yesterday, i'm sorry we didn't get a chance to talk. I was sorry to hear about Phyllis. We had kept in touch some time after we left Guatemala. I worked with a health association here in Reston and she was interested in some of our programs. You arrived in Guatemala shortly before we left.

It was great listening to everyone yesterday. All those memories! Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I often thought about Phyllis and wondered how she was doing.

Judy and Frank Kenefick

August 24, 2017

May the God of all çomfort help you and your family through this sad time 2 cor 1:3

Olga Hernandez

August 24, 2017

So sorry to hear Phyliss lost her battle. She was a courageous woman that dealt with grace with her MS battle. She was a wonderful asset to the League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area and the community. May she rest in peace. My sincere condolences to her husband and son.

Jim & Dene Holtaway

August 23, 2017

Bob and I talked frequently of your trials and tribulations and how bravely you faced daily challenges and squeezed moments of joy from the theater and plays and the adjustments to your care so you could stay at home. God will guide you now and help Bob and Doug carry on..

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