Opal L. Cech

Opal L. Cech

January 23, 1941 – February 14, 2023

WAKE: Thursday, February 23rd, from 6-8PM at West Center Chapel.

FUNERAL: Friday, February 24th, 11AM at West Center Chapel. To view a live broadcast of the service, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.


Opal Lee Cech, 82, of Omaha, Nebraska, went home to be with the Lord on February 14, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with heart disease and cancer.

Opal was born on January 23, 1941, to Howard and Luretta James in Cairo, Illinois, as the youngest of three children and was raised with a strict, religious upbringing. The family moved to the small town of Richland, Nebraska, when Opal was 3 years old. Her father‘s employment at Union Pacific Railroad eventually led them to move to another small town, Schuyler, Nebraska, where Opal completed her education. She moved to Omaha, Nebraska, in 1961, where she and her sister, Loretta, relied on each other for comfort and security since this was a scary, new town and a much bigger city compared to where they had grown up. However, they had fun exploring Omaha together and discovering new experiences and opportunities.

She married Adolph Cech in Omaha on December 31, 1963, and they raised 6 children together until his passing in January 1982.

Opal was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother and loved her sister and brother dearly. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was very attentive as they sat by her feet and laughed and talked with her while she beamed with pride and happiness. Opal also loved chatting on the phone with her friends while sharing stories and reading scriptures and poems to them as a source of encouragement. She liked to read and sew and had a very green thumb. She always had beautiful plants around the house and could easily nurse a lifeless plant back to its natural beauty. Opal was always kind and caring to anyone she met and became known as the “Mom” of Taylor Street. She formed strong, motherly bonds over the years with several of the neighborhood children, and those bonds remain in place to this very day.

Opal gave her life to Christ at an early age and loved the Lord. She was a long-standing member of Sharon Seventh Day Adventist Church in Omaha, where she formed close sister-friend relationships that she treasured and maintained until her passing. She was also an honorary member of Freedom Christian Fellowship Church in Omaha, where she attended services from time to time with her two youngest daughters.

Opal is preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Luretta James; husband, Adolph; brother, Howard James Jr; sister-in-law, Nancy James; granddaughters, Laila and Chaneel Cordes; grandson Marty Turner, Jr.; and great-granddaughter Abigail Cordes.

She is survived by her sister Loretta Coleman; children: Barbara (Ed) Hartman, Patricia (Anthoni) Long, Sherry (Marty) Turner, David (Linda) Cech, Timothy Cech, and Anna Cech-Cordes; grandchildren: Michael Cech, Deion Turner, Crystal Cech, Damien Cech, Brandon Cech, Trinity Cech, Timothy Cech II, Shyanne Cech, SiAna Cordes, Dietrich Cordes; great-grandchildren: Zadrien Turner, Jayceon Cordes, Cai’lani Matthews-Cordes, Caleea Matthews-Cordes; niece and nephews: James Pinkney Jr, Greg (Brenda) Pinkney, Harley Pinkney, Sonya Pinkney, Reggie (Angela) Pinkney; and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives, and extended family.

Opal will be sorely missed by all of those she has left behind. She was one of a kind, and it was a true blessing to be loved by her.

10 Comments

  • Elder Kevin and Anita Patterson Posted February 22, 2023 6:45 pm

    Our heartfelt condolences in your loss. May the Lord bless you and keep you.

  • Carol Crouse Posted February 22, 2023 7:13 pm

    Dave, Linda, and Family
    My deepest sympathy to you and your family in the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Always remember all the wonderful memories you shared. Love Carol

  • Judy Lee Posted February 22, 2023 7:53 pm

    My deepest condolences to the family. Sister Cech was always a sweet, kind woman that always had a cheerful word a d a warm smile to share. May God Bless you all as you continue your life journeys without her. May the power of the Holy Ghost give you comfort and peace. Hold fast Jesus is soon to come

  • Anna K Cordes Posted February 23, 2023 12:52 am

    This woman was an awesome person and a wonderful mom. I miss her every minute and second of the day. I believe wholeheartedly I will see her again when the Lord returns, but in the waiting I miss her. I will forever love my momma and I am eternally grateful for God allowing me to be her daughter. To my siblings, we had the “cream of the crop” when it comes to mothers by having Opal L Cech as our mother. I am sorry for your loss, and I know exactly what you are feeling. Please be sure to lean on me and I will do the same. God is watching over us in this extremely difficult time and He will provide us the comfort we need to get through.
    I love you forever mom, and will miss you for the rest of my natural life.

  • Sheila Thompson Posted February 23, 2023 3:21 pm

    We will miss Sister Cech. She was always present with a warm smile and greeting. She loved each of you dearly and always spoke warmly of you.

  • Minnie McDougle Posted February 23, 2023 8:46 pm

    Our prayers and thoughts are with you. May the Love of God comfort you and keep you..

  • Mary Greene McCray Posted February 23, 2023 10:00 pm

    My sincere condolences to Pat & entire family❤️

  • Patricia Ann Bass Posted February 24, 2023 11:37 am

    May god comfort and keep You all until he comes again

  • Joann M. Herrington Posted February 26, 2023 9:23 pm

    I found o a t just today of Sis. Cech’s passing and am saddened by the news. She was a gentle and kind person who always greeted me with a warm smile. May happy memories warm your hearts in the days to come. She rests in Jesus.

  • Sherry Turner Posted February 28, 2023 11:30 am

    Mama, I can’t believe you’re gone but I know that I will see you again one day. Thank you for loving me and for being there for me when I needed you the most. My heart aches and I miss you terribly. I won’t say goodbye, Mama, I’ll just say see you later. Rest in peace and in the comfort of God’s love until we’re together again. I love you forever, Mama.

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