Barbara Allene (Coulter) BECHTOLD passed way at her home on February 6th, 2021, with her children by her side, after a 20-year battle with breast cancer. Throughout her life, she was cherished for her warmth, strength, generosity and compassion. She had a sharp sense humor, she was courageous, and possessed an adventurous fun-loving spirit. Also, rumor has it, that she was an extremely secure confidant. Barbara was a selfless mother, wife, sister and friend who worked tirelessly to ensure the comfort of those around her that she loved.
She was the first born of three daughters (Patsy and Linda) of the late Charles and Lucy (Cook) COULTER. Barbara was born in Charles Town, WV, on April 26, 1943 where she grew up. She attended Charles Town High School (class of 1961), played the French horn in the marching band, and was also a cheerleader. She moved to Delaware and worked as an executive secretary for Western Union where she met the love of her life, Henry Paul Bechtold II (a widower). They married in December 12, 1969 and she gained a terrific husband and a ready-made family of 6 children, 3 boys (Paul, Bobby and Henry) and 3 girls (Peggy, Sally and Cindy). Once married, she immediately changed roles, to take on the task of being a full-time mother, wife and home-maker to their new family in Mahwah, New Jersey. In 1971 Barbara and Henry had one child together, Christian. In 1979 Henry retired and the family moved to Florida, settling down in Chuluota, FL in 1980. In the mid 1980’s Barbara returned to work full time in the office of St Luke’s Lutheran Church, Oviedo. In 2000 she began her career with the U.S. Postal Service as a Data Technician.
In 2001 Barbara was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent treatment. During this time Henry’s health declined and Barbara cared for him while continuing to work until his passing on 9/22/2007. She retired from USPS in 2013.
Barbara loved life to the fullest and lived it through her strong faith in God and her network of friends and family. She had a pleasant disposition and a wonderful sense of humor. Barbara had a contagious laugh and was loved by all who knew her. Barbara always went above and beyond for everyone, and she touched many lives in her 77 years. Her friends and family will forever be grateful for the memories we shared with her.
Barbara was preceded in death and is now reunited with her parents, Charles and Lucy Coulter, her husband Henry Bechtold, son Hank, son-in-law Kirk Keer, and sister Linda Dent. Barbara is survived by her loving children, Christian (Christal), Cindy, Sally (Jeff), Bob (Pam), Paul, Peggy; grandchildren; Chloe, Christian, Nicholas, Chrystal, Dustin, Amanda, Jeffery, Jared Henry, Patricia, Tammy, Wendy (Mike), Ben, Patty (Paul), Steven, Lisa, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchild. Barbara’s sister Patsy (Donald Neill), and her dear friend, Myrna Feliciano and other friends and family.
Barbara’s funeral will be 10am, August 6th at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL (Section 327 Site 1323) where her remains will be laid to rest alongside her husband Henry.
There will be a celebration of life to be announced at a later date.
I was blessed to have Barbara in my life. Many well spent times together and always there to get me through my cancer and frazzled moments as she would called them. She loved sharing family memories and how proud she was of her children, grand children and great grandchildren. Though I have a void in my heart Heaven is even brighter now. I will miss my one true friend.
Myrna
I was lucky enough to meet Barbara through Diane and Myrna while working she was friendly, kind, and loving from the moment I met her and always feeding us which we laughed about. She touched many people with her spunk and spirit and I am truly lucky to have met her. I will miss her genuine smile and easy nature to make you feel welcome wherever she was. I know she is looking down on us with a hug and a smile and that is what we all need. I will miss her very much.
What a wonderful and sweet lady. She was so warm and always greeted you with a smile. We were very blessed to have met her through her friendship with my sister Myrna.
God needed an angel and he called Barbara home. I met Barbara during the Feliciano Christmas parties. We shared many laughs and happy family gatherings. Barbara came to my son’s wedding. Those that we love dearly never leave us, they remain in our hearts and in the memories that we shared.
To us, Barbara was a Sister from other parents. She was family and we all miss her dearly. She is now in the well deserved embrace of our heavenly father. We shall treasure our memories of Barbara.
I met Barbara through my sister Myrna. She soon became my older sister from another mother. I was privileged to work with her on some work projects which was a real delight as she had such a great work ethic and sunny personality. Barbara helped Myrna and I through some difficult times when our parents were ill and also Myrna was being treated for cancer. Barbara had become a member of our family attending family functions where she was always admired and loved. We will always carry her friendship in our hearts.
I met Barbara at work through Myrna. Barbara was a wonderful person, always cheerful and happy. Barbara will be missed by everyone who knew her. Heaven gained an angel.
There are many reasons I will forever be grateful to Barbara. She was a caring, generous, uplifting, and loyal friend to my aunt Myrna. Life brings many challenges and triumphs, and Barbara and Myrna were there for each other through all the ups and downs, sharing laughter and tears (definitely a lot of laughter).
Barbara was also a cherished member of our family through her friendship with Myrna. She was there for us when things were hard (and there were many hard times over the past decade) and there with us at countless family meals and celebrations. She was part of us, and we feel her absence acutely.
I miss her smile, her warmth, and her fierceness. But missing someone is also a gift, because it means you were fortunate to experience at least part of life with them. Thank you, Barbara.
We were all deeply saddened to hear of Barbara’s passing. At family get togethers I clearly remember how Barbara would joke and laugh with everyone. Barbara was always so sweet to me and my family, taking a genuine interest in how we were doing. Above all I clearly recall Barbara’s friendly fun loving and gentle nature. Love and peace to the family.
Barbara was a very close friend of mine, since early in 1970 when we worked together at Western Union in New York.
We became friends immediately, and were inseparable, visiting the shore, snow skiing, etc. We also became roommates, until she married Hank(Henry Bechtold), a wonderful man.
Because we lived far apart, as I reside in California, we could never seem to get together. I visited her and Hank and Christian, who was in college I believe, maybe 35 years ago, with my husband, Woody, and our 2 sons. We only had a short visit as we were staying at Woody’s sons’ home about 1 1/2 hour north, for a vacation. We really reconnected immediately, and her smile and laugh was still there.
We both were busy bringing up children, and the years went by. My husband passed away about 21 years ago. We tried to re-connect, but with working it was difficult. During the last few years, I tried to set up a vacation with her, and she was busy, going somewhere else. Also, she told me she had cancer and that Level 4 was not a big deal anymore.
I do not think Barbara wanted to tell me everything. I really wanted to visit her these last 2 years, although with Covid, I did not want to impose. In 2021 I wanted to see her, and could not connect for a very long time, then no answer to her phone and emails. So, I thought she was in the hospital. Not having any information to connect to Christian, or the rest of her family…the months went by, and finally I checked on google in facebook. I hardly ever use facebook except every few month to view family pictures.
There will never be another Barbara. She was one of the most wonderful people on this planet, and now in heaven.
If there is a way her son could contact me, or another family member I would really like to talk to them. If Christian could reach out to me I would like to ask if he has a picture of her I could have. We took pictures together, although my home burned to the ground in November of 2018, and I lost all, even my pictures (most of our town in Paradise burned due to PG &E not maintaining their equipment, when a spark started with an unrelenting wind of 50 mph).
If this funeral home could please forward my information to Christian and/or family, maybe her sister Patsy, I would be very thankful.
Here is my information:
Marlene Woodard (maiden name is Marvel)
1611 Elliott Rd., Paradise, Ca. 95969
email: mpabach@aol.com
Cell phone: 530 965 3322