Joan Heidegger

Joan passed away peacefully in Madison, GA at the age of 79. Formerly from Chicago, she was the beloved wife of the late Howard Heidegger and devoted mother of Janet Heidegger, Gina (Norm) Larsen and Jennifer “Jenni” (Kevin) Human. She was the loving twin sister of the late Janet (Bill) Collins and cherished grandmother of Jamie Tiggelaar, Steven Tiggelaar, Christina (Jeri) Ramos, Ken Human, Joe Larsen, Julie Larsen, Haylie Larsen & Sara Soliday, adoring great-grandmother to Christopher, James and Collin Dampf, Angelyna Alvarez, Liliana, Adrien and Gabriel Ramos, Jaylynn Hamilton, fond aunt & great-aunt of many who and also survived by other dear family & friends.

Joan was known for her kindness and loving nature. Always the life of the party, no matter what the occasion, she spent most of her adolescent life in Ohio switching places and pulling pranks with her very own partner in crime, her twin sister, Janet. In her teenage years, she enjoyed the high life in Las Vegas and eventually moving to Hollywood California, living on the famous Mulholland Drive. As a wife and mother of three daughters, she worked dutifully to provide a warm and happy home, and worked for most of her life at the Tropical Hut, owned by her step-father, Peter Pomier. She did everything from work in the kitchen to bartend. As an expert seamstress, she even made the uniforms for the Hut’s employees as well as clothes for her children. Her daughters can personally attest for the countless hours she spent in fabric stores and her keen eye to select the perfect pattern for whatever she decided to make. She even made her daughter’s wedding dress.

Joan is remembered as the doting grandmother, and was lovingly given the nickname “Gooma”. She was their favorite playmate, and at any family gathering was quickly pulled away to play, not just by her grandchildren, but also by all their friends. Her fun nature encouraged silliness and creativity among her grandchildren, and because of this she was always sought after. Between multiple holiday parties, family vacations, late night card games and conversations, Joan always made everyone she talked to feel like the most special person in the room.

A friend to all animals, Joan leaves behind her one true love, her dog, Buttons. Much like any person who had the pleasure to meet her, animals would gravitate towards her as soon as she entered the room. She can be remembered for bringing baby goats into the house when it grew too cold outside, even at the protest of other family members as well as her countless animal photos and videos shared on Facebook that would brighten everyone’s day.

Please join us in remembering Joan. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 22, 2015 at 11 a.m. until the start the memorial service at 2 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Joan's name may be made to the American Cancer Society or your favorite charity. Info: 708-636-1193