Mary (Jo) Heffner, age 97, of Davenport FL, formerly of Metamora MI, passed away peacefully in her home in Florida.
Jo grew up in Detroit, attending Assumption Grotto Grade School, graduating from Nativity High School in 1943 where she excelled not only in her classes, but also as a basketball player. Jo continued to play basketball throughout her early years of marriage for Detroit's CYO league. As team captain, she led her girls to a City Championship in 1946. Her love for the sport continued for 30 years, first coaching at St. Peter Grade School in Harper Woods, MI as well as a CYO basketball referee and umpire for girls’ softball. Her enthusiasm, energy and love for sports inspired many young girls.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband John, her son Stephen and 4 sisters.
Jo is survived by her children: Thomas (Jane) Heffner, Theresa Heffner, Mary (Robert) Chaney, Donald Heffner, Ann Peters, Nancy (Greg) Nelson, Clare (Dan) Parsell, Paul Heffner and Joseph (Marianne) Heffner and daughter-in-law, Mary Leggat-Heffner, her 18 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Mary “Jo” will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
A funeral Mass in Mary's honor will be held at St. Cornelius Catholic Church in Dryden MI on Thursday September 22nd at 11:00 AM. She will join her husband the following day September 23rd, at Great Lakes National Cemetery.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
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