Concord, NH

Loved animals, books and Democrats

Thelma “Teddy” Heckman, of Concord, died Sept. 30, 2011 at the Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen after a period of declining health. She was 99.

Teddy was born on Sept. 23, 1912 in West Derby, Vt. to Murray and Lila (Allen) Fuller. She spent most of her childhood in Manchester and graduated from Central High School. She attended Middlebury College for two years before the Great Depression forced her to abandon her studies.

She moved to Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where she worked as a dental assistant and for the Brooklyn Union Gas Company, and joined the young peoples’ fellowship at Christ Episcopal Church. It was there that she met Arthur John Heckman, the lanky son of German immigrants who would become her husband of 61 years.

She kept every love letter Arthur wrote and spoke often of their sailing trips in New York Harbor. Teddy sold war bonds during World War II and vividly remembered the celebrations on VE and VJ days.

In 1947, the Heckmans moved to Ridgefield, Conn., where they lived in a 19th century farmhouse with a barn full of horses and sheep. Teddy worked as an office manager for two local dentists and several other small businesses. The Heckmans attended St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Ridgefield, where Teddy served on the altar guild and taught Sunday school.

Anyone who knew Teddy will remember her intellect and sass. She wore peace-sign medallions and Intimate perfume, loved anything pink and was still reading -- and commenting on -- the newspaper into her late 90s. A lifelong Democrat, she advocated for human rights, animal rights, quality public education and sound environmental policy.

She voted proudly in every election, often reminding those around her that women’s suffrage wasn’t ratified until several years after she was born. She followed politics closely and believed that if you didn’t like something about the government, you should write a letter to the president. Weekly.

Animals were an important part of Teddy’s life, and she worked to better the lives of neglected and abused creatures. Her animal companions are too numerous to list, but the most memorable include a family of Cocker Spaniels, Thompson the orange tabby cat, several rescued Dobermans and a faithful mutt named Emma.

As her health declined, Teddy received care from staff members at Granite Ledges in Concord, the Merrimack County Nursing Home and the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association. The Heckman family is grateful for their patience, humor and professionalism.

In addition to her parents and husband, Teddy is predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Burt, a brother, Willard Fuller, and an infant son. Survivors include her son and daughter in law, John and Maureen Heckman, of Weare, NH; a granddaughter Meg Heckman, of Concord, NH;  a grandson, Dr. Jim Heckman, of Boston, Mass sisters Francis Whiting, of Dover, NH, and Dorothy Leonard, of Oak Ridge, NJ; a stepmother, Ellen Dorr, of Whitefield, NH; and several nieces and nephews.

The most appropriate way to honor Teddy would be to adopt a cat and spoil it rotten. If that’s not feasible, please consider making a donation to the Concord-Merrimack County SPCA, 130 Washington St, Penacook, NH 03303.

No calling hours will be held.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday October 11, 2011 at 10 am in Maplewood Cemetery, in Antrim, NH.

Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Henniker, NH is handling the arrangements. For more log on to www.holtwoodburyfh.com

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