Barbara Jean Heffernan

Barbara Jean (Reilly) Heffernan, 75, of Highlands Ranch, CO and previously East Northport, NY and Brooklyn, NY passed away on Ascension Day, May 10, 2018, at home. Barbara was born on July 8, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY. She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Lillian Reilly, brother Edward Reilly and sister Winnie Young. She is survived by her brother Robert Reilly of Clearwater, FL. Barbara is survived by her 5 children, Cheryl Henry and her husband, Dennis (Highlands Ranch), Kevin Heffernan and his wife, Mary (Highlands Ranch), Brian Heffernan and his wife, Sue (Madison, NJ), Karen Semryck and her husband, Andy (Palm Harbor, FL), and Dan Heffernan and his wife, Jill (East Northport, NY) as well as 11 grandchildren (Brittany, Ryan, Kyle, Patrick, Catherine, Stephen, Shaun, Brianna, Mackenzie, Megan, and Nicholas). Raised in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of Brooklyn, Barbara attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help elementary school and graduated from Catherine McAuley High School. She began her career working in Manhattan at Woolworth before dedicating herself full-time to raising her 5 children. She later re-entered the workforce in marketing research, followed by childcare. Barbara retired and relocated to Highlands Ranch 16 years ago, joining 3 of her children living in the area. She was happy to be involved in their lives and surrounded by 6 of her grandchildren. In Colorado, she enjoyed an active social and volunteer life. She was dedicated to the Pax Christi Catholic Church community, helping to manage and organize the St. Elizabeth’s food pantry, wash and iron the altar linens, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and in other service ministries. Barbara enjoyed spending time with friends in the Highlands Ranch Senior Club and her GBU group. She also volunteered with the Highlands Ranch Historical Society. She was an avid card player, enjoying Poker, Canasta and Mahjong with her friends, and other card games with her children and grandchildren. Barbara made family and friends a priority in her life. She often traveled to the East Coast to visit her 2 children, grandchildren and her lifelong friends in NJ and NY. She is remembered as strong, humble, sweet, patient, kind, and loving. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at Horan & McConaty (5303 E. County Line Road, Centennial) from 2 to 5 pm, with a Rosary to follow at 5 pm. The Funeral Mass will take place at Pax Christi Catholic Church on Wednesday, May 16,2018 at 11 am. A reception will immediately follow. Burial Service is scheduled for Monday, May 21, 2018 at 11:00 am, Eastern Standard Time, at the Calvary Cemetery (Section 35) 4902 Laurel Hill Blvd, Woodside, NY 11377. A luncheon will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the St. Elizabeth’s Pantry at Pax Christi Catholic Church (contact the Parish Office at 303.799.1036).