Lia Ann Heckman

Lia Ann Heckman was born on July 4, 1986 at Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. She attended Little Elementary, Moore Middle School and Pomona High School, all in Arvada. She graduated High School in 2004. In June of the same year, the shy young lady, who was not sure about the real world, interviewed for the new Walmart store at Flat Irons Crossing in Broomfield, Colorado. She was hired as a People Greeter and over the next 12 years, she gained more confidence and was promoted a few times, ending with her position as Department Manager. She was a valued employee and was no stranger to being Employee of the Month. Her co-workers commented how much she blossomed in her work and confidence over the years. She loved to work with flowers, which she really had a knack for. She attended a six-week class in floral arrangements with hopes to eventually land a job in that area. When that didn't appear to have promise, she pursued other hobbies in drawing, crafting and photography, of which she became quite skilled. She loved her friends and family and rarely missed sending cards, crafting or buying presents for special occasions, like, birthdays, anniversaries and baby births. At her apartment it seems she was always in the middle of some project to finish in time to give someone. She loved her dog, Lucy, very much, and loved everyone else's four-legged friends too. Kids loved her. She was their ""Auntie"". And she especially loved her only nephew, Kyler, and he loved her ""Auntie"" back. She couldn't pass up a beautiful sunrise or sunset without taking a picture and must have hundreds on her phone and computer. Lia also had a passion for Paris. In fact, her apartment décor ""screamed"" Paris. It was a dream of hers to one day visit the ""City of Light"". Lia was just getting started on the next phase of her life when she met her true love, Johnny. They were planning to get married next year. She had a big heart and her big hugs, which she gave away freely, will be sorely missed. She is survived by her parents, Chad & Lora Heckman; sister, Tara (Mike Riker) Heckman; nephew, Kyler Riker; aunts and uncles, Jeanne Anderson, Richard Anderson, Sharla and Bill Fleming, Rosie and Jay Heckman; fiancé John Alvarez; and dog, Lucy. Lia is preceded in death by her grandparents, Mary Anne Anderson, Ralph Anderson, Roma Lea Heckman and Doug Heckman; and aunt, Linda Scott. A Memorial Service honoring Lia will be on Thursday, June 16, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 7577 West 80th Avenue, Arvada, Colorado 80003. A reception will follow the memorial service at the Apex Community Recreation Center, 6842 Wadsworth Boulevard, Arvada, Colorado 80003. In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations considered in honor of Lia to: The Foothills Animal Shelter 580 McIntyre Street Golden, Colorado 80401 www.foothillsanimalshelter.org/ Please share your memories of Lia and condolences with her family by signing the guest book below.