Cecelia Kay Heffernan
Cecelia Kay Heffernan, age 74, passed away October 19, 2023 in Boscobel, WI. There will be no services for Kay at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Kay was born October 17, 1949 to Lillian and Paul Allenby in Wheeling, WV. Her father, Paul, was in the military and Kay lived abroad as a young child. She had a brother and best friend, Paulie, who passed away when he was 12 years old. After that Kay found the love of her life in Larry Heffernan at the age of 14. This started their lifelong journey as they were married when she was just 14 and he was 16 April 19, 1964 in Mexico.
They moved to Mountain Home, TX where they lived with Larry’s parents. Kay loved to spend time on the ranch with Larry’s family. In 1966, Kay and Larry started their family with Dawn; then in 1968, along came Shelly; and finally, in 1973, along came Toni. As a military family, Kay moved around with Larry and the girls. In 1977, Kay and Larry adopted Hector Morales Heffernan. In 1979, they settled in Waukon.
Kay enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, crafting and spending time with her family. Kay and Larry lived most of their life in Waukon, where they owned and operated Computer Repair Plus. Kay ran a web design business until her retirement. Kay, or Cookie as she was known to her family and friends, had a huge heart and would take in anyone and treat them like family.
She was mother to many of her daughters’ friends. Kay never judged anyone and showed kindness to all. She also enjoyed spending time with her best friend and aunt, Jenny Fish.
Kay was a wonderful cook and baker and created many good memories of coming home to smell homemade bread in the oven or any number of dishes made out of her garden. She loved to stand in the rain and wash her hair and could seldom be found wearing shoes. She loved animals and they seemed to naturally gravitate to her.
Her snarky wit and her strong will helped her to raise her family and to pass on her independent spirit and her give ‘em hell attitude to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She has left a legacy of kindness and taking care of each other that her family will continue to carry on.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Heffernan of Boscobel, WI; her daughters, Dawn (Bob) Thorsten of Waukon, Michelle (Tim) Schwartzhoff of Dorchester and Toni (Mat) Young of Boscobel, WI; her son, Hector Heffernan of Texas; her grandchildren, Bret (Jackie) Heffernan, Shane (Mariah) Thorsten, Summer (Tyler) McLaughlin, Carson (Alex) Schwartzhoff, Samantha Brown, Conner Schwartzhoff, Alison Brown and Alexis Young; and her great-grandchildren, Christian, Isabella and Odessa Heffernan, and Soren, Sutton and Graham Thorsten.
Kay is preceded in death by her mother and step-father, Lillian and Cecil Smith; her father, Paul Allenby; her brother, Paulie Allenby; her mother- and father-in-law, Jack and Lorena Heffernan; and her brothers-in-law, Jackie and Troy Heffernan.
Online condolences can be sent to www.kendallfuneralservice.com.
