Patricia Heenan

Patricia Marie Heenan

1924 - 2018

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Obituary of Patricia Marie Heenan

Patricia Marie Wise Heenan, 1924 - 2018

Much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went to be with the Lord on June 28, 2018.  While during the end of her life she dealt with Alzheimer’s Disease, she lived a wonderful and full life, having traveled all over the world, sharing many happy times with family and friends. Patricia was one of the “lucky ones”. Always cheerful, always there to give good advice, always enjoyed life to the fullest.

Born in Kenosha WI on July 20, 1924, she was the youngest of three daughters born to Harry S and Zella Gaskill Wise. Reverend Wise and his family ministered in various Methodist churches around the Midwest until she met David K. Heenan while he was attending Milton College in Milton WI. After David’s military service in WWII, they married in 1946 later moved to East Lansing MI where David was hired as a professor at Michigan State University, and they raised their four children. For the next 33 years, Patty was a wife, homemaker, and mother, active in the East Lansing community. The family traveled around the world including two years living in Thailand, as David was part of a professor exchange program. In 1972, she earned her Bachelor’s degree at Michigan State University. She took a job as a Student Advisor on campus, connecting foreign students with “Host Families”. She was an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church in East Lansing for many years, enjoyed volunteering, loved being a Mom but tolerated homemaking.  They entertained and enjoyed spending time with family and friends every summer at the family cottage on Grand Traverse Bay.

In 1988, husband David passed away after a short illness. A few years later Patty met Leroy Caddy and they were married in 1992, spending the next 17 years together, until Leroy became ill and passed away. East Lansing and Elk Rapids were home base for Patty until she became ill in 2009. She chose to return to her Wisconsin roots to spend her final years in the place where she grew up, and to be near her daughter, Ellen.

Patricia was predeceased in death by her parents, Reverend Harry S. and Zella Wise, her sisters Jean Wise Douglas (Arnold) and Rachel Wise Simpson (Merlin), as well as her husband David K. Heenan in 1988 and her son, David K. Heenan Jr., in 2003. Survivors include daughters Jean Heenan Smith (Roger) of Indianapolis IN, Ellen Heenan Reddy (David) of Elkhorn WI and son Timothy P. Heenan of Racine WI. Patricia has seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Nitardy Funeral Home of Whitewater WI is handling the final arrangements. No funeral service will be held and in lieu of flowers, please direct any memorial contributions to the Elk Rapids Public Library, 300 Isle of Pines, Elk Rapids Michigan 49629. Patty enjoyed many years of volunteer service to this library during her summers in that area.

On behalf of the Patty’s family, we would like to extend our thanks to the Fairhaven and Hearthstone staff for the love and care she received over the past 8 years. We would also like to thank the kindness shown to our Mom by the Agrace Hospice group, making her last days comfortable and peaceful.