March 12, 1936 – June 2, 2026
Olive Mitchell (Burke) Hecht, of Reading and Wakefield, Massachusetts, died peacefully in her home on 2 June 2026, after a six-year struggle with dementia. She was born, alongside her twin sister, Alice, in Boston, on March 12, 1936, to the late J. William Burke, MD, and Velma (Mitchell) Burke, RN. She was the second of Dr. and Mrs. Burke’s children and was raised in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Her early childhood was marked by several illnesses, including polio, as well as the loss of her beloved mother, Velma, when Olive was 15.
She earned her Associate’s Degree from Westbrook Junior College in Maine, and then matriculated at the Boston University School of Nursing, which she attended for 1.5 years. During her final year at nursing school, she contracted a severe case of mononucleosis, recovery from which took some time. She did not return to finish her degree, but instead chose to work as a legal secretary at the firm of Hale & Dorr. During her time at Hale & Dorr, she was introduced to her twin sister’s fiancé’s good friend, William J. Hecht, Sr. (Bill), whom she eventually married on June 24, 1961.
Olive was extremely proud of both her Irish heritage and her longstanding roots in the US, which began with her Mayflower ancestor, Isaac Allerton, and her Revolutionary War ancestor, Sherebiah Baker. In addition to her interest in genealogy, Olive was an accomplished equestrienne, and rode competitively in both English hunt seat and dressage. She was a voracious reader and talented artist; enjoyed playing the guitar and swimming in the ocean—particularly when water was warm and waves were big. Olive loved nothing more than to spend quiet time puttering about in her gardens at home in Reading, and at her father’s house on Brier Neck, in Gloucester, Massachusetts. She will always be remembered as an extraordinary friend, a beloved wife, a mother to three children, and an incredibly well loved grandmother to five. Most importantly, she was a smart, strong, fiercely independent, and very modern woman for her time.
Olive was pre-deceased by her twin sister, Alice (Burke) Berkner and her younger brother, John Burke. She is survived by two siblings: elder sister, Claire (Burke) Markham, of Melrose, MA; and younger sister, Kathleen Burke-Hodge, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; her three children: William J. Hecht, Jr. (Lori Cavanaugh) of Lowell, MA.; daughter Maria Hecht (Seth Diamond) of Cambridge, MA.; daughter Olivia Hecht of Reading, MA; five grandchildren: TSgt Kevin Hecht, (Katelynn Hecht) of Edwards AFB, CA; granddaughter Amanda (Mouse) Hecht of Northampton, MA; granddaughter Sarah Hecht (Miles Miller), of Methuen, MA; grandson Stephen Hecht, (Aisha Iyer) of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter Rebecca Hecht, of Reading, MA; and three great-granddaughters: Morgan and Brianna Hecht of Edwards AFB, CA; and Paloma Miller, of Methuen, MA.
Finally, her family extends their grateful thanks to Olive’s sister Claire, who was a lifeline to her past as Olive’s dementia progressed, and to our extraordinary caregivers Brenda and Jen who so lovingly supported her and the family through several years of the “long goodbye.” Heartfelt thanks, as well, to other important friends during her journey—in particular Elizabeth DeMarco and the Asgeirsson family—and the neighbors on Martin and Colburn roads who provided such compassionate support. There will be a private graveside service for immediate family who graciously request that in lieu of flowers, online donations be made to the The Trustees of the Reservations whose properties Olive spent many happy times visiting. Offline donations may be made to “The Trustees” 200 High St. 4th Fl. Boston, MA 02110. www.thetrustees.org
A Celebration of Life for Olive will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at the Mooo Steakhouse, 86 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA from 12 pm – 2 pm.
Arrangements under the direction of the Douglass, Edgerley, and Bessom Funeral Home, Reading. www.douglassfuneralhome.com .
