Edith “Edie” Margaret (McGee) Heffernan, 84, of Haverhill, passed away at home on Oct. 6.
Born in Boston to Francis and Edith McGee, Heffernan graduated from Sacred Hearts High School in Cambridge and worked for many years at New England Telephone Company, eventually retiring from Lucent Technologies.
The oldest daughter in a family of ten children, “Sissy” was so loved by her family and all who knew her. Slow to anger and quick to laugh, she was up for almost any adventure, particularly if it involved a good meal and well-made martini.
Heffernan loved visiting yard sales and thrift shops always confident that hidden among someone else’s castoffs was an overlooked treasure. Chips, cracks, and scuffs didn’t diminish the value of objects in her mind and she took the same approach with people. It didn’t matter if you had personal struggles or annoying quirks, she only saw the best in people and would simply put any flaws out of sight.
She is survived by her children, Gerald P. Heffernan and his partner, Sally Mank of Haverhill, Mary Heffernan and her partner, Brant Charron of Haverhill, Joseph Heffernan and his wife, Anne of Plaistow, N.H., Sheila Heffernan and partner Mark Reusch of Haverhill; cherished grandson, Ryan Heffernan; sisters, Nancy Golden and husband Robert of Kingston, Karen Dearth and husband Greg of Moultonborough, N.H. and brother, Michael McGee and partner Maureen Connolly of Dorchester. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews.
Never one to let difficult times keep her down, our mother spent her last days just as she had spent all of her others: laughing, joking, and singing with friends and family. At her request there will be no services. Memorial donations may be made to The Raptor Resource Project PO Box 16 Decorah, IA 52101.