Jeanette Sprecher Walter

Jeanette Sprecher Walter died Tuesday October 20, 2009 in the Good Samaritan Hospital, Lebanon. Born in 1923, she was the daughter of the late John H. Sprecher and Mary Landis Sprecher of Lebanon. She was a graduate of Lebanon High School in 1940, The College of Wooster with a B.A. degree in Psychology in 1944, The Pennsylvania State College with an M.S. degree in Psychology in 1949, and The National School of Landscape Design in 1964. After graduation from Wooster during WW II, she worked in the Home Service Department of the American Red Cross in Lebanon. In 1946, she took a position as Assistant Executive Director of the Harrisburg Girl Scout Council. Throughout her life, she served as a volunteer in many community activities, as well as continued studies in Horticulture and Landscape Design. She was a member of the Board of Directors of YWCA’s in Schenectady, New York and West Chester, PA. In 1985, she was awarded an “Outstanding Woman of the Year Award” by the YWCA of Greater West Chester. She was a driver for Meals on Wheels, member of the Springfield Woman’s Club, A.A.U.W., and an Alumni Representative for The College of Wooster in various area high schools, as well as vice-president of her college class. An avid gardener, she served on the Board of Directors of the Schenectady, Springfield, and West Chester Garden Clubs, exhibited in area flower shows, and was one of the original Associates of the Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation of Swarthmore College. Active in the PA Horticultural Society and civic planning, she was given an Honors Award for “Contributions in Horticulture” by the PA Federation of State Garden Clubs. A member of Westminister Presbyterian Church of West Chester, she served as an Elder, chaired the Committee on Women and the Church for the Donegal Presbytery, President of the Ecumenical Housing Group of West Chester, member of the Religious Council of Greater West Chester, and Board of Trustees of the PA Foundation of Pastoral Counseling. After returning to Lebanon in 1986, she joined St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where she served on the Board of Trustees and various church committees. Jeanette was an avid bird watcher, a Master Gardner, and cherished animals (particularly Boston Terriers; especially Miss Molly). She was loved and was active in the Lebanon Community. She was the last of her immediate family. Surviving are cousins Frank A. Hunt of Lebanon, Jean Hunt of NY, NY, Robert Burns of NY, NY, loving friends Wendy Wenger of Schaefferstown, and Ann Coval of Manheim. She was preceded in death by cousins Lee Blyler, Neil Conver, and Jean Landis Hunt. Graveside services will be held on Saturday October 24, 2009 at 9:30 AM in the Richland Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 10:30 AM from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 600 S. 12th Street, Lebanon, PA 17042. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Lebanon County or St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. PDF Printable Version