Mary Elaine Heilman

May 20, 1933 to December 23, 2021

Mary Elaine Heilman was a loving mother with a passion for singing. Her beautiful voice graced those around her throughout her 88 years. She grew up in Kansas City Missouri, daughter of Helen Margaret Fallaschek and Randolph J. Breting. Helen sang and took Mary Elaine with her to choir practice. At the age of five, Mary Elaine was already joining in with a solo descant to Silent Night. Later at Glennon High School, she continued her musical journey, and got into debate and English literature. At Mount Saint Scholastica, she sang the lead in Brigadoon and toured with the acclaimed Twin Colleges Choir. She was the editor of the Mount Mirror Magazine. She earned her Master’s Degree in English at St. Louis University and taught there and at Notre Dame de Sion before marrying Edward James Heilman. For the first two years of their marriage, she worked to help support him through medical school.

She had six children and dedicated her life to motherhood and family, continuing to sing to her children at home, in church choir and for weddings and funerals throughout their lives. Her parents and sister, Elizabeth Breting, were always close and she loved the large Heilman side of the family as well, and stayed connected after the divorce. Her dedication to her children was so complete, she accepted a divorce settlement that was mostly a commitment to her children’s high school and college educations. She endured much to make that a reality.

She re-entered the workforce and worked as an editor at Black and Veatch engineering firm while continuing to sing in the church choir. After retirement from Black and Veatch, she was a much loved community member of Overland Park Place Independent Living Center where she continued as a much appreciated soloist in their choir. She was regularly cared for by her daughter, Amy, and her son, Steve, and visited by her grandchildren. She spent the last fifteen months of her life singing at the home of her daughter, Katy, well-cared for with the help of Doug Warner and her eldest daughter, Caryn, and her granddaughters, Emily and Kristyn. David, Yolanda, Elli and her daughter, Audrey, and her husband, Kyle, and their son, Mark, were able to make two visits up from Texas to light up her holidays. She died at home surrounded by family.

She is survived by her sister, Elizabeth Breting; her son, David, and his wife, Yolanda, and their children, John-Paul and Elizabeth, and her great-granddaughter, Audrey, and great-grandson, Mark; her daughter, Katy, and her grandchildren, Jacob, Kristyn and Emily; her son, Steven; her daughter, Amy, and her husband, Matt Dierks, and their children, Megan, Mary Kate, Allie, Jack, Maggie and Grace; and her daughter, Caryn, and her wife, Nana.

A visitation for Mary will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Rosary at 7 PM at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145. A Mass of Christian Burial will occur on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 11300 W. 103rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66214. A committal service will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64134.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcgilleymidtownchapel.com for the Heilman family.

Caryn Heilman is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

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