Rayetta R. Sturm

Rayetta R. Sturm, 59 of Hamburg passed away Wednesday, April 15th peacefully at home with her family at her side. She was the daughter of Garnetta Heckman of Pine Brook, Orwigsburg and the late Ray C. Heckman. She was the wife of Christopher D. Sturm and mother to son Nicholas and daughter Michaela. She graduated from Hamburg Area High School in 1974. She was employed at the Hamburg Center as a clerk-typist II for 25 years. After retiring, she started volunteering for the Hamburg Area School District and soon started as a part-time substitute. She really enjoyed working with the kids, especially the ones who needed a little extra help. She worked until a few days after Valentines Day of this year. Rayetta loved going to all the soccer games, track and cross-country meets. She was well known as the Penn State Harrisburg cross-country mom for the last two seasons and also the sports photographer. She took many pictures of not only Nick and Michaela, but of many other teams competing and shared the photos with friends. She also enjoyed camping trips to Knobels, Cape Henlopen and Eagles Peak with family and friends. After her diagnosis in October 2013, she fought hard all the way and started her own journey on Facebook posting about her treatments and feelings about what she was going through. She inspired many other women and encouraged some women who postponed mammograms to get them. He motto was "Always walk in faith, not fear." At the request of the family, everyone is asked to wear casual, pink attire. Please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks, 529 Reading Ave., Suite G, West Reading, PA. 19611, Attn.: Kathy Kolb. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 5:30 PM from St. Mary R.C. Church, 94Walnut Road, Hamburg, PA. Viewing will be held from 3:00 to 5:30 PM at the church. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. The Burkey & Driscoll Funeral Home, Inc., 40 S. 4th St. Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.burkeydriscoll.com.