Mary Alida Heck passed away on Thursday (Jan 19, 2012) in Normal. A memorial service will be held on Sunday at 6pm at North Bridge Baptist Church in Normal. All who knew and loved her are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to North Bridge Baptist Church. Cremation arrangements have been accorded by East Lawn Funeral Home, Bloomington.
Mary was born on April 30, 1939 in Sunbury, PA to James and Jesse Buckaloo, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Ron; mother-in-law, Willa Haggard, Bloomington; sisters Jane Donahue, Grove, OK; and Bette Kuhlman, Barstow, CA; and children Chris (Barbara) Rann, Bloomington; Sharon (Royce) Rann Bartlett, Jesup, GA; Jeanne (David) Rann Woodford, Ellsworth; Lara (James) Rann Wooten, Elbridge, TN; Teri (Scott) Heck Richer, Essex Jct., VT; and Brian J. Heck, New York, NY. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister Beverly Cooper.
Mary grew up in Panama from ages 2-12, and then in Lanham, MD. In 1958 she moved to Baltimore to attend the music conservatory Peabody Institute on scholarship to study the organ. In 1959 she moved to Lebanon, IL. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from McKendree University in 1971. For 34 years she served as the Assistant Administrator at the Illinois Employment & Training Center - Career Link in Bloomington. For over 25 years she was the organist at First Baptist Church of Normal and then North Bridge Baptist Church, where she, Ron, Lara, and Brian are members.
Mary was well-known for her infectious spirit, beautiful smile, and constant positive attitude. She enjoyed music, singing, playing the piano and organ, and gardening. She will be deeply missed by those who loved her and all whose lives she touched.
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