Dr. Amy Blatchford Hecht, age 92, died peacefully on June 27, 2023 at her home in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. She was surrounded by family, friends, and many flowers. Amy was a leader in the development of hospice care in the United States and was an invited speaker at the Senate hearings that resulted in hospice costs being covered by Medicare. The role she treasured most was as a beloved wife, mother and grandmother.

Amy was born in New York City on October 18, 1930, the daughter of Charles Hammond Blatchford, Jr. and Virginia Bliss Blatchford. Her family valued education, and she earned four advanced degrees, including a Master's degree in Nursing from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Virginia. Dr. Hecht was also a graduate of the Northfield School for Girls and Swarthmore College.

Dr. Hecht carried on her family's value of education and became a career nursing educator. She taught nursing at multiple universities, including the State University of New York at Buffalo, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the University of Delaware, where she was the assistant dean in the College of Nursing. Amy Hecht, Ed.D. retired as the Dean of the College of Health Professions and Social Work at Temple University in 1997.  As recently as last week, she was coaching nurses that were caring for her, while sharing her perspective that "once a nurse, always a nurse."

Among her many honors, Amy and her husband Jim were recipients of the Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of the Interior for their work advocating safety in the National Parks.  In addition, she was a member of the American Academy of Nursing. She gave many lectures on hospice, end-of-life issues, and nursing education in the United States and beyond, including in Ukraine, Nepal, Lebanon and Russia.

Amy was passionate about contributing both time and funds to a wide range of organizations and causes.  She was a member of Montview Presbyterian Church in Denver, a dedicated supporter and volunteer for charities and organizations that included the Friends of Patan Hospital, the Denver Zoo, the Mayo Clinic, the University of Denver's Korbel School of International Studies, and International Development Enterprises (iDe). She was known for making the best brownies, being a huge dog lover (especially labs), and for enjoying a nice glass of wine (or two). Throughout her life, Dr. Hecht was able to travel to 62 countries and enjoyed sharing her love of travel with her children and grandchildren. She has made a lasting positive impact on those around her and will be remembered fondly by all of those that were fortunate to know her.

Amy met her beloved husband, James (Jim) Hecht, while they were both attending Yale University. They were married in 1953 and spent over 64 loving years together before Jim passed away in 2018. Both Amy and Jim were preceded in death by two sons, Charles Blatchford Hecht and Andrew Clark Hecht.

Amy is survived by her daughter, Margaret (Maggie) Hecht Le Beau and her husband, Darrell Le Beau of Castle Rock, CO; five grandchildren: Derrick James Le Beau (Jamie), Harley Ryan Le Beau (Breanna), Mariah Le Beau, Nicholas James Hecht, and Benjamin Andrew Hecht; four great-grandchildren: Aaliyah, Sophia, Harrison, and Bryson; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, who will all miss her dearly.

While the greatest gift is sharing memories, stories and photos, if you would like to honor Amy's life with a memorial gift, her family recommends a contribution to the Hecht & Bering Student Financial Assistance Fund at Temple University.  Dr. Hecht retired from Temple and remained committed to education in Nursing and Health Sciences.  She established a fund in 1996 that assists students who have a financial need that could prevent them from completing their education and receiving their degree.  You can click here giving.temple.edu/AmyHecht or mail a contribution indicating that your gift is a tribute to Dr. Amy Hecht, Dean Emeritus to: Temple University, Institutional Advancement, P.O. Box 2890, New York, NY 10116-2890.