Mary Evelyn Bechtold (ne Naish) beloved wife of the late John A. Bechtold and daughter of the late Frances & Al Naish, passed peacefully on October 20, 2017, 6 days after her 90th birthday. Dear sister of the late Alex and Frank Naish. Survived by her loving children, Tim (Nancy) Bechtold, Mimi (Steve) Leverone, Fran (Walt) Heekin, Connie (Bill) Beck, Jean (Terry Borkenhagen) Bechtold, Gail Bechtold, Paul (Mary) Bechtold and Peter (Peggy) Bechtold. Also known as Gra-Gra she leaves behind by 9 adoring grandchildren, Kelly Dornheggen, Joseph & Patrick Heekin, Emily Kendall, Natalie Leverone, Marie Trelka, Samantha & Jackie Bechtold, and Katie Lowry. She was blessed with 6 great-grandchildren, twins Paige & Lauren Dornheggen and younger sister, Molly Dornheggen. Another set of twins Austin and Nash Trelka and Emma Kendall. Born in Cincinnati, she was a long time resident of Kenwood and devoted member of All Saints Parish. Mary was a second mom to the 7 Gilday kids as well as many other kids in and around Glenover Drive, there was always room for one more. She was a proud Alum of St. Ursula and attended various colleges studying Journalism. She was dedicated to her husband's political career when he served in the Ohio House of State Representatives and active in the Northeast Republican Women's Club. After her husband died suddenly in 1978, she was a realtor with Sibcy Cline in Kenwood and worked at FACS in Mason for many years. A devout Catholic, she instilled kindness and love in her family and all who knew her. She was a member of All Saints choir for 30 plus years and active in their lay ministry. Her devotion to Jesus Christ was part of her everyday life by attending mass daily and organizing a Bible group at the Blue Ash YMCA where she swam every morning. Children were the joy in her life, even in her advancing stages of Alzheimer's seeing children raised her spirit. She loved traveling to Florida even with 8 to 10 kids in her station wagon. As she got older she traveled regularly to Siesta Key to spend time on the ocean and beach. She was truly a remarkable woman and always put the needs of others first and inspired her children with a strong work ethic, who carry that to this day. She taught her children the importance of accepting responsibility, to be strong willed and stand for what is right. Her family will miss her here on earth but find great comfort that she is with our dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that are happy to welcome her in heaven. Her children and all who knew feel blessed she was a part of their lives. For that there is eternal gratitude. Visitation will take place at Gilligan Funeral Home on Montgomery Rd. on Thursday, October 26, 2017 from 9 AM to 10 AM, a Mass at 10:30 AM at All Saints Church and internment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her favorite place to visit, The Cincinnati Zoo, Attn: Development Dept., 3400 Vine St. Cinti., OH 45220 or Fernside (Center for Grieving Children) PO Box 633597, Cinti., OH 45263-3595.

Service

Thursday, October 26, 2017 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Gilligan Funeral Home 3734 Eastern Avenue Cincinnati 45226, United States

Service

Thursday, October 26, 2017 10:30 AM All Saints Catholic Church 8939 Montgomery Road Cincinnati 45236, United States