Mary Bechtel, cherished family, friends

Mary Bechtel (nee Cooney) passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at her home in Lewes.

 

She is survived by her husband, Jerry; her stepson, Jason Bechtel (Cindy); her stepdaughter, Jaclynn Overstreet (Jimi); her grandchildren, Lance Overstreet, Logan Bechtel and Cody Overstreet, all of Linthicum, Md.; her sister, Patty Edgehouse (Tom) of Lakewood, Ohio; as well as nieces, nephews, many cousins, and countless friends.

 

Mary was born in Cleveland, Ohio, May 20, 1957, to Ed and Sheila Cooney (both deceased). She moved to Baltimore, Md., in 1989, where she met Jerry. They were married in 2002 and embarked on a wonderful adventure. As retirement grew closer, they decided to move to Lewes. They built a house in 2017 and moved permanently in 2019. Lewes offered the best of everything, including the beach, shopping, a small town, a variety of restaurants, the boardwalk, and being close enough to Maryland to return for all the important things. 

 

Mary loved travelling and took vacations to Ireland and England, family vacations to Myrtle Beach, golf trips to Wilmington, N.C., Williamsburg, Va., Mystic, Conn., and Asheville, N.C., and visiting relatives in Chicago. Jerry and Mary also loved visiting Sarasota, Fla., for Orioles Spring Training, Armand Circle, and Siesta Key. She was always ready to explore a new place or go back to some old favorites. 

 

During her time in Baltimore, she developed a love for the city’s sports teams. She loved watching the Orioles, and her favorite players were Cal Ripken, Jackson Holliday and Adley Rutschman.

 

As much as she loved watching the Orioles, her passion was football, and she loved the Ravens. She and Jerry were fortunate to have personal seat licenses and season tickets for the past 10 years. She loved being at M&T Stadium, rooting for her team. She was blessed to share this passion with her grandkids and was able to attend games with each of them. If the Ravens had an away game, she would be rooting the team on from home, often with good friends who were also Ravens fans. 

 

Mary loved holidays and always enjoyed decorating the house and porch for each holiday. She especially loved Christmas; there were four trees, and every room was decorated. Mary was known for her collection of snowmen of all sizes and shapes. Most were gifts from friends and family. 

 

Mary’s favorite pastime was spending time with her family. Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She also loved spending time with her friends. Mary was blessed to have friends who became family. 

 

Mary would like to be remembered as someone who gave it all and went for it all, as a woman of strong conviction, character, dignity and talent who always put God first.

 

A Celebration of Mary’s Life is being planned for a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, donate.cancer.org; or Delaware Hospice, delawarehospice.org. 

 

Visit Mary's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.