Geraldine Heffernan

She is the beloved wife of the late John F. Heffernan Sr.; cherished mother to Peni, Michael, Tom (Mary) Heffernan, Chris (Andy) Fassett, the late John Jr., the late Jim, the late Walt, the late David, and the late Bill; treasured mother-in-law to Karen Heffernan and Sharon Heffernan; beloved Gram to David (Amanda), Alicia Heffernan, Megan (Marty) Corr, Matthew (Caity), Danny, Brendan Heffernan, Kati Heffernan, Zach and Zane Fassett, John Heffernan, Jack, and the late Tessa Heffernan; adoring Gigi to Haley Staidl, Patrick, Maggie, and Brendan Corr, Kamila, and Kamden Heffernan; devoted daughter to the late Arthur P. and Margaret A. Roche; sister of the late Margaret M. (the late Terry) Smith and the late Arthur P. (Frances) Roche; Aunt Geri to many; long time friend and travel companion to the late Regina Brady and special mom to Deb-Ellen Brown.

Geri was born on June 3, 1927 to Margaret A (McCoy) and Arthur P Roche, the youngest of their 3 children. She was raised in Our Lady of Peace Parish and went to grade school there. She graduated from Mercy High School in 1945 and Chicago Teachers College in 1949. Two weeks after graduation she married the love of her life, John Francis (Jack) Heffernan and together they raised their nine children. They moved to St. Bede's Parish in 1955 and spent the rest of their married life there until Jack died in 1983. Early on Geri was involved in their church, St. Bede's Altar Guild and her community--Scottsdale Homeowners Association.

Geri was incredibly involved in the lives of her children. She always supported their dreams and aspirations. Geri also passed on her faith in God to her children. As a young mother, she had to bury her three year old son--followed a few years later by her 9 and 14 year old sons. Through all this she "kept the faith" and was an extraordinary role model for her children. When her "maternity leave" of 15+ years ended, she went back to teaching part time splitting a position with her dear friend Regina Brady. After several years of part time she accepted a full time position as teacher/librarian at McKay school where she stayed until retirement.

In retirement she was blessed to spend a great deal of time traveling with her dear friend Reggie; together they managed to visit places on 6 continents. She also took great pleasure in her grandchildren helping with childcare, rides to places, playing games and seeing that they spent time reading books. (lots and lots of books)! She was able to see her grandchildren grow into caring, loving adults. While she had started to slow down as the great grandchildren came, she still wanted pictures of all that they did. Each has an album started and she would look over them often.

In June of 2017 the whole family celebrated her 90th birthday! She was thrilled! It was shortly after that when health issues began to impact her life. She spent the past two years in bed..but she was in her own home. It was that home, the home she made for her family over the past 64 years that she went home to Jack, her sons, her granddaughter, Tessa and her God. Thank you, Mom--we love you and will miss you terribly!

Visitation will be Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 4:00-8:00 pm at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home (11333 S. Central Ave; Oak Lawn, IL 60453). Geri's Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated with family and friends on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 11:30 am at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church (8200 S. Kostner Avenue, Chicago, IL 60652). She will be laid to rest in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.