Monroe Robert Schecht; 77; of New Kensington; died Thursday (Nov. 13; 2003) in Allegheny Valley Hospital; Natrona Heights; Harrison.

He was born Aug. 5; 1926; in Brighton Beach; New York; and lived in New Kensington some 40 years.

A 1944 graduate of Lincoln High School in Brooklyn; N.Y.; he graduated in 1948 from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. He later graduated from cosmetology school in Washington; D.C.

He served in the Army during World War II.

The owner of Monroe’s Beauty Shop in New Kensington for 30 years; he had been working for Medrad in Indianola; Indiana Township; for the past 11 years.

Mr. Schecht volunteered as an usher at the Benedum and Byham theatres in Pittsburgh; and was a member of the New Kensington Civic Theatre.

An avid movie buff; he also enjoyed live theatre.

Survivors include his wife of 35 years; Linda M. Hanly Schecht; three sons; Geoffrey (Tracey) Schecht of Texas; Thomas (Karen) Hudacek of Oklahoma and Shayne Schecht of California; two daughters; L. Elizabeth Galvanek of New Kensington; and Monica Atwood of New York; and a brother; Mikhail (Inez) Schecht of Florida.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren; ; Katie; Patrick; Matthew; Cliff; Karl; Alex and Morgan; and a great-granddaugther; Kayla.

He was preceded in death by a grandson; Nathan Hudacek; and his parents; William and Celia Zemon Schecht.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday in the ROSS G. WALKER FUNERAL HOME LTD.; a family owned and operated funeral home; 217 Freeport Road; New Kensington; where a service is set for 10 a.m. Monday. Officiating will be the Rev. Robert J. Henry; pastor of Logans Ferry United Presbyterian Church; New Kensington. Private burial will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery; Belle Vernon.