Patricia Lee Heckaman

Pat was born in Alliance, Ohio, on December 28, 1933, to Norman and Virginia (Wykoff) Peters. She and her younger sister Janice grew up in Alliance surrounded by many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. She loved spending time with their extended family, swimming and picnicking in the summer and sledding and ice skating in the winter. These family gatherings, which she cherished so much, continued well into her adult life.

After Pat graduated from Alliance High School, she attended The Ohio State University, where she met the love of her life, Jim Heckaman, on a blind date. Within a very short period, they knew they were the ones for each other. Five months after they met, they were married on August 28, 1953. In their first years of marriage, Pat worked as a secretary to put Jim through medical school, a fact that she was quite proud of.

Pat always said her happiest moments were when she married Jim, when each of her four daughters were born, and when she became a grandma. She cherished every moment she spent with her family. One of her life lessons was, “Let the people you love, know you love them” And she did that herself not only through her words, but by creating a beautiful, loving and happy home and in all the loving care she provided to her husband, daughters, sons-in-law, and to her grandchildren.

Pat was the kindest, sweetest, most loving person. She had a smile that lit up a room, she loved telling and listening to stories, and her laughter was infectious. She was creative and fun but also fearless, and she would always stand up for what she believed in, even with her small stature, standing tall at 5 feet. She was a very giving and caring person, always putting others before herself.

Pat was very creative and enjoyed a variety of arts and crafts. She excelled in sewing - when she was young, she made most of her clothes, she made elaborate Halloween costumes for her daughters and grandkids, and she even made part of her wedding dress. She enjoyed tole painting, basket making, stenciling, growing everlasting flowers and creating gorgeous wreaths and arrangements. She and Jim loved to travel, taking trips with friends overseas and summer vacations with their daughters. One of their favorite vacation destinations was Norway, Maine. She was a fantastic cook, she loved to garden with Jim and she would often make dinner with vegetables that they’d grown. She loved the holidays, and she created many wonderful family traditions and memories. She made life magical.

Pat is survived by her daughters, Tammy Biggins (Tim), Shannon Peterson (Lee), and Holly Robertson (Ben); her son-in-law Anthony Scheffler; her eight grandchildren, Dan and Ben Biggins, Natasha, Annika, Ava, and Erik Peterson (Olivia), Andrew Heckaman and Sara Stokes (Jared); her great-granddaughter Samara; her niece Cindy Jobe; her siblings Kim Peters (Cathy) Laurie (Mary Jane), and Lynn Springer (Gary)

Pat is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James Heckaman; her daughter, Dr. Kelly Heckaman (Anthony Scheffler); her sister Janice Giovanini, her niece Garee Daniska; her parents, Norman and Virginia Peters and her stepparents John Peters and Lu Peters.

A celebration of Patricia’s life will be held privately by the immediate family.

Donations in Patricia’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org.