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Judith “Judy” (McCann) Heiser

Judith “Judy” (McCann) Heiser, 84, of Essex, beloved wife of John Heiser, passed away on Oct. 5 at Middlesex Hospital. Born in Northampton, Massachusetts, she lived in Ivoryton since 1967.

A graduate of Westfield High School in Massachusetts, she received her bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from the University of Connecticut in 1961. It was at UConn that she met John and started down the path to their 60 years of marriage. After college, she moved to Manhattan and began her career as a buyer for Macy’s in New York City. She returned to Connecticut after marrying John in 1963.

Judy’s life was about serving and being part of her community. Judy operated Swanton Jewelry on Main Street in Essex for 33 years, retiring in 2008. During that time, she became a fixture on Main Street, cavorting and organizing with the other business owners. She became a longtime active member of the Essex Board of Trade. She delighted in coordinating annual parades for Essex Ed (Groundhog Day) and Trees in the Rigging (which kicks off Christmas in Essex), the Scarecrow Festival, and other Main Street activities. She joined the board of the Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley in Centerbrook soon after arriving in town and remained an active and committed leader of the organization for almost 50 years. Following her retirement from the store, she remained very active in town. For many years, she brightened the holidays for thousands of children and their families as “Mrs. Claus” aboard the North Pole Express at the Essex Steam Train. She and John have been members of the First Congregational Church of Essex since they moved to town in 1967.

Judy was also a very talented artist focusing on watercolor painting. She was a longtime member and patron of the Essex Art Association and supported other local art associations as well. A lifelong New Englander, she loved painting landscapes of the Connecticut River valley and shoreline, as well as other favorite New England destinations such as Lake Dunmore, Vermont, and Rockport, Massachusetts. She was also a meticulous gardener and used her vibrant gardens as subjects for her own paintings.

Above all else, Judy was a beloved, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, aunt, and second “mom” to many of her kids’ friends. Besides her husband John, she leaves two sons, Richard “Dick” Heiser and his wife Kathryn of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Theodore “Ted” Heiser and his wife Catherine of Chester; a sister, Jean Nathan, and her husband Howard of San Diego, California; a brother, Hugh Richard “Dick” McCann, and his wife Lynn of Long Boat Key, Florida; four grandchildren: Emma Kathryn Heiser, Genevieve “Vivi” Heiser, John “Finn” Heiser and Sara “Sadie” Heiser; and several nieces and nephews. A child of two large Irish families, she spoke at length and with pride about her family heritage and all of her many cousins. Her longtime friends are too numerous to name, but you all know how much she cherished her long talks with each of you.

Judy was a huge supporter and fan of UConn men’s and women’s basketball, attending several Final Fours with John. She loved nothing more than going to her kids’ and grandkids’ sports, dance, and theatre events and was seen at virtually every one of those events until her passing. It was remarkable to watch her work a crowd at any local event where she seemed to know almost everyone and, if she did not, to meet and chat with her new friends.

Judy was loved deeply and will be missed greatly by her family, friends, and the entire community. We are all comforted by the memories of Judy as well as her long-lasting positive impact on each of us.

A Memorial Service will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the First Congregational Church of Essex, 6 Methodist Hill, Essex. There are no calling hours. A reception will be held at a local establishment to be announced. Burial will be private in the River View Cemetery in Essex. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, 49 Main Street, Middletown, CT, 06457 for a Judith M. Heiser Memorial Scholarship Fund (payments can be made to CFMC with a designation to the scholarship fund in Judy’s name). Carlson Funeral Home, New Britain, is assisting with arrangements. Please share a memory or note of sympathy at www.carlsonfuneralhome.com.