Mary was born on January 9, 1945 in Trbitz, Germany. Her parents, Antanas and Elizabeth Serksnas were fleeing Lithuania from the Russian army who were overrunning German positions and invading. They lived in Germany for three years until they were able to immigrate to the U.S. After a brief time in Brooklyn, they moved to Hartford, Connecticut. Mary attended Holy Trinity High School where she met Jim, her husband of 55 years.
Mary graduated from the University of St. Joseph’s in West Hartford, Connecticut and received her masters degree in secondary education from the University of Hartford. She taught for a number of years before her children were born, both in Hartford, Connecticut.
She was an avid reader, a master at New York Times crossword puzzles, especially consistently completing the Sunday Times puzzle, and an enthusiastic traveler. She was a Roman Catholic.
Mary is survived by her husband, James W. Heslin, Jr., daughter Julia Heide and her husband Hans, son Timothy Heslin and his wife Sandra, grandchildren, Timothy Jr, Natasha and Catalina, her beloved surrogate daughter, Jennifer Roth and her three children, Carson, Piper and Teagen, her sisters-in-law, Kristina Serksnas and Myrna Serksnas, her nephews, Paul Serksnas and his wife, Kim and Anthony Serksnas and his wife, Marnie and her niece, Lisa Knobbe. She was predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Sigitas and Antanas.
A memorial service will be held for family members at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Paralyzed Veterans of America (https://pva.org/), Wounded Warrior Project (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/), or other veterans organizations.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the HESLIN family.
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