Marie Aileen “Aileen” (Hecht) Harshaw entered this world on October 17, 1941, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She unexpectedly passed peacefully away at home in Fallsington, Pennsylvania, on December 4, 2023, after recently celebrating her 82nd birthday.
Aileen is survived by her loving husband Richard, their son Keith Harshaw (wife Lori and children Nick, Nate and Olivia), their daughter Tara Harshaw (children Josh (wife Sage), Brenden (fiancé Laura), Ryan, and Kiera (fiancé Gary and child Ryder)), her brother Bob (wife Susan), her sister Robin Tenaglia (husband Meade) and several nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Hans Hecht and Gertrude (Shanley) Hecht, and niece Lauren Tenaglia.
After graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1960, Aileen devoted herself to fiercely supporting her family and friends. She was a constant presence at Pennsbury school sporting events and band concerts where her children and grandchildren participated.
Alieen was an involved parent in the PTO and with Pennsbury Band Boosters and a beloved “band parent” during her children’s time with the bands in the mid-1980’s. She could often be found helping in the uniform room, chaperoning football games and competitions, and accompanied the Pennsbury High School Marching Band to the Rose Bowl Parade and Great Wall of China among many others.
Aileen loved to travel on family vacation. She was especially proud of her Irish heritage, traveling to Ireland twice in recent years.
Alieen cherished Christmas like few others, always eagerly decorating by Halloween and joyously indulging her children and grandchildren. It is fitting that she passed peacefully during her favorite time of year, in a room enveloped in her favorite decorations.
Visitation and non-denominational services are scheduled for Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at 10:00 am and 11:00 am, respectfully, at the James L. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc., 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, PA 19056. Interment will take place at the Newtown Cemetery, 600 Newtown Yardley Rd, Newtown, PA 18940.
Memorial contributions in Aileen's name may be made to the Pennsbury Band Boosters, a 504©(3) non-profit organization. Please refer to: https://sites.google.com/pennsburysd.org/pennsburyinstrumentalmusic/boosters
Donation information may be found at the bottom of the page.
