Gloria Heckendorn, 92

Gloria Heckendorn, public school teacher and art club member, passed away on the morning of Tuesday, August 11. She was 92.

She was born Gloria Mae Iorfido in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, at her parents’ home in 1933. She grew up in Ambridge with six siblings and attended the Ambridge Area School District, graduating in the class of 1951. She attended Slippery Rock University and would eventually earn her bachelor’s degree in Health & Physical Education. While at college, she also met a former U.S. Navy sailor, Thomas Heckendorn. They wed shortly after her graduation from Slippery Rock in 1955.

Gloria was a public school teacher at Seneca Valley High School, teaching health and physical education for 27 years. Much of that time was spent teaching alongside Thomas, who taught mathematics and physical education, as well as being an Athletic Director for the high school. Gloria and Thomas had two daughters, Lisa and Lori, who would also attend Seneca Valley while they taught there.

Gloria was also a painter for much of her life, eventually becoming a stalwart member of the Ellwood City Art Club. She preferred oil painting, often reproducing photographs or other paintings, but also produced some original work and was fond of her portraits of her grandchildren. Her paintings were recognized and awarded in the annual art shows that the club held in the park, and she would eventually chair the shows as well.

Gloria’s other hobbies included art, travel, and gymnastics. She was a member of the Divine Grace Parish, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in town and was also a member of the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima. She and Thomas lived in Ellwood City for 26 years, where they helped raise their grandchildren and grew old together. Last year, they celebrated their 70th anniversary, surrounded by family.

Gloria died in her sleep on a quiet morning in a quiet house, lying next to Thomas.

Gloria is preceded in death by her father, James Vincent Iorfido, and her mother, Fenice Marie (Cuda) Iorfido. She is also preceded in death by her siblings: Elizabeth (Tootsie), Beatrice (Bea), Albert (Al), Hugo Richard (Dick), Edward (Idy), and Virginia (Gina). She was the youngest of six siblings and the last to pass away.

Gloria is survived by her husband, Thomas Heckendorn, and her daughters, Lisa Ann Heckendorn-Blake and Lori Ann Maielli. She is also survived by her son-in-law, John Maielli, her grandchildren — Jonathan (Lisa), Matthew, Christopher (fiancée Alyssa), Tomas, and Annalise — and her great-grandchildren, Connor and Malia. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew her as Nuni. She was very loved.

The family would like to thank Gloria’s in-home nurse, Christina Greene, for helping her final months pass comfortably.

Visitation will be held on Friday from 4-7 pm and again on Saturday from 10:00 am until 10:30 am at the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home and Crematory Inc.. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Saturday at 11:00 am at Divine Grace Parish Holy Redeemer Church with Father Joe Freedy presiding. Burial will be at the Economy Cemetery.

Flowers may be sent to the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home in Ellwood City, and donations can be made to the St. Jude Foundation in her name.