Obituary: Paula Jane Heckman, 73, of Branford

Obituary courtesy of Clancy-Palumbo Funeral Home:

Paula Jane Heckman, 73, of Branford, CT, formerly of Acton, MA died June 27, 2023. She was born in Schenectady, NY on March 28, 1950. Sweet, kind, funny, and helpful are the most used words to describe her by those who knew and loved her. She valued her independence, loved the beach, the full moon, sunsets, trees, always wanting to share them with others. She was also a lover of cats.

Paula grew up in Schenectady and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1968. She attended Duquesne University (PA) and received her bachelor's degree from UMass Amherst.

Paula worked as a programmer analyst in the insurance and financial industries in CT and MA.

She is survived by siblings: twin brother, J. Paul Heckman (Carol) of Glenville, NY, Sally H. Peck (Alan Bohanan) of West Branch, IA, Patricia Schumann (Tom) of Florence, MA, Elizabeth Heckman-Bouley (Alan) of Hollis, NH, and Stephen C. Heckman (Kate) of Newbury, MA. Her nieces and nephews were very important to her and she loved them dearly. Paula is predeceased by her parents, George and Jane Heckman and sister Susan H. Magner.

Paula was a descendant of both MA and CT founding families including the first Colonial Governor of CT, John Haynes and both Rev. James Pierpont and Rev. James Noyes, founders of Yale College. She was also a Mayflower descendant (John and Priscilla Alden, as well as Richard Warren). Her lineage also includes Mary Fish Noyes Silliman, whose portrait hangs in the Fairfield (CT) Historical Museum.

Burial will be held at a future date and be announced with an updated obituary.