Delores Eileen Heffron

Heffron, Delores Eileen, of Townsend passed into eternal life on Friday, June 12, 2015 at her home. She has made her home in Townsend on State Hwy 73 for the last 46 years. Her family and friends consider the 89 years that she has spent among them as one of life's greatest blessings. Born in Chicago, Ill. on May 15, 1926, she was the youngest child of George F. and Emma Andersen Oelschlegel. She attended Faith Lutheran Church in Chicago. Both her father and mother passed away in 1964. After graduating from Calumet High School in Chicago, Mrs. Heffron was employed by the Goodman Mfg. of Chicago, a war-rated critical mfg., who made electrical mining machines. In order to obtain better paying employment legally, she left Goodman for a non-critical position with Marshall Fields's Dept. store for a 60 day period, and then went with the critical rated Commonwealth Edison Electrical Power utility. It was while employed at Com-Ed that she met and married the great love of her life, her husband Donald B. Heffron, relocating frequently as his education and profession dictated. The Heffron family was soon blessed by the addition of six children; Donald Michael in West Lafatette, Indiana; Daniel George and Deanna Bernice both in Hackensack, N.J., Donadee in Bogata, Columbia, South America; and finally Douglas Roger and Derek Arthur in Miami, Florida. In the late fall of 1969, Mr. Heffron accepted a position with an engineering firm in Knoxville, TN, and the family moved to an ancestral homestead beside the Little River in Townsend, leaving the three oldest children in Miami. Mrs. Heffron, a dedicated homemaker, enjoyed serving and cooking. She was an expert seamstress and loved to prepare sumptuous meals for her family. She especially enjoyed spending time in the Scouting movement with 7 years as a Girl Scout Leader and as an involved parent in a 15 year period of Boy Scouting. She won many awards in Miami Garden Club competitions. Delores joined the Gift Wrap Dept. of Proffitts Dept. store in Midland Shopping Center in Alcoa in 1971, retiring after 16 1/2 years with them. She successfully trained hundreds of young women in the art of gift wrapping. She dedicated her life to providing for the welfare of her family and others, often to the neglect of her own needs. Her selfless love and generosity made a lasting impression on all who knew her. She will be greatly and sadly missed by many. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Donald Bruce Heffron of 65 years; her parents, and her brother. Mrs. Heffron is survived by her six children, son-in-law, four daughters-in-law, six grandchildren, one step-grandson, and two great grandchildren; her sister, Jean Dawson of IL, her aunt Hazel in IL who will be 100 this year, and her childhood friend, Lois Carleson of IL. Delores was a kind, loving, and gracious woman. Her remains will be cremated. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. Delores has requested that in lieu of flowers, any memorials be made in the form of donations to the Haven House in Maryville, TN. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Delores Eileen Heffron please visit our Sympathy Store.