Anne French Heffernan

Anne French Heffernan, a child of God, died peacefully on 13 April 2024 at Johnston Willis Hospital in Richmond, Virginia. She was surrounded by her daughter and husband of 68 years. She was a woman of simple faith, full of unconditional love and the Holy Spirit. She was a proud military daughter, wife, mother and “Gran.”

She was born on 21 March 1933 at home in Morganton, NC, but lived on 21st Street on Church Hill Richmond, Virginia until 1938. When the US Navy recalled her father in 1940, her family moved to Pensacola, Florida. She graduated the Salutatorian of Pensacola high school in 1951. Her class was remarkably close, and she made several lifelong friends with whom she spoke often in later years. She met her future husband, George Aubin Heffernan, in 1950 at a city dance for the US Naval Academy class of 1952. They courted from afar until their marriage on 18 February 1956. They raised three children, Kenneth George Heffernan, James DeBell Heffernan, and Natalie French Heffernan. Together they traveled the world. At every port of call, she created an elegant home with an eye for design that was unmatched. She returned to Richmond, Virginia in 2005. She loved to find timeless and classic pieces each with beautiful memories. Anne enjoyed staying up late to watch mystery and classic movies. She also passed her love of gardening on to her daughter and filled their home with flowers and light. Anne was caring, headstrong and witty. She was the epitome of grace.

Also surviving are grandchildren, Stephanie Nicole Heffernan Wellborn, Whitney Paige Heffernan Pliskin, Dana Lynne Heffernan Buczek, Aubin James Heffernan, Erin Elizabeth Heffernan Gilchrist, and John William Heffernan as well as great grandchildren, Florence Blake Wellborn, Davis Witt Wellborn, Samuel Holt Wellborn, Eleanor Paige Pliskin, William Owens Pliskin, Leon James Buczek, Callum Ward Buczek, and Lily Catherine Gilchrist.

A funeral service is planned at St John’s Episcopal Church, Pensacola, Florida followed by burial at Barrancas National Cemetery on 26 April 2024. A memorial service in Richmond, Virginia is planned at St Edward the Confessor Catholic Church on 21 May 2024. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Washington National Cathedral would be appreciated.