Dee Heckman
Obituary
There once was a lass, full of sass, born in the land of enchantment. In 1966, she made her debut to Raymond Heckman from Fort Wayne, Ind., and Nancy Gable from Cincinnati, Ohio. This fine young couple met in Albuquerque, N.M., and their love led to marriage.
This lovely lass doted on entertaining her grandparents, Floyd and Helen Heckman and Rose and Al Payton, along with aunts and uncles, Ed, Lynda, Judy, Joan, Joyce and Don. In 1970, a lad named Eric was added to the family and wanderlust struck hard
The family moved quite often, it seems, in search of Raymond's dreams. In San Jose, Calif., they found their home. And this little lass changed her name to Dee Heckman, her true identity.
During her education, the lass followed her heart's desires; following many different paths until landing into sociology. All of the variety of interests that she had done came in handy for the career of the lass as she began her journey as an educator.
For 29 years, she excelled at educating young minds and fellow educators. She also used that sass for leadership and representing the rights of those who were underrepresented. In 2002, she got some devastating news of an incurable blood cancer and yet, she kept fighting, working, and educating as many scholars as she could find. In 2018, her career ended when the cancer grew fierce. She bravely fought five more years until she succumbed to the vile beast within her and passed away in Greenfield, Calif., on June 5, 2022.
She was a mother of cats, dogs, and other furry species. She volunteered for organizations such as Arroyo Seco Citizen Association, Arroyo Seco Resort, and Greenfield Board of Trustees; she held many union positions, performed in community theater, and received many accolades from the county and various organizations that she served.
While unmarried, she had many children in all the students that she taught in Greenfield. She thanks the families of all her students for allowing her to teach their lovely children. She found her own paradise in Arroyo Seco and lived in her tiny cabin which she luckily bought in 1990.
She is survived by Houdini, her 14 year old dog; Magic and Luna, her five-year old cats; father, Ray (Becky) Heckman; brother, Eric (Anna); and her three nephews, Owen, Ethan and Aidan. Her heart sisters, Leslie (Jim) McClellan and Vonda (Chuck) Damore, and their lovely children, Patrick, Loretta, and Kat McClellan; Bianca and Anna Damore. Her aunts and uncles, Joyce and Don Cooper, and Judy (John) Tye.
Her Celebration of Life happened on May 15, 2022. She asked those who are mourning her to take a walk in nature or brighten up someone's day.
Donations can be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation or to a scholarship fund in her name at Greenfield Union School District if desired.
Published in Salinas Valley Tribune · June 13, 2022