Obituary - Anne Holland Morris Heffner

We are heartbroken to announce that Anne Holland Morris Heffner passed away peacefully on September 3rd with family holding her hands. She was 99.

She was born on April 5, 1926 in Fayetteville, North Carolina to Ruth and Fred Morris. She would call NC “a little slice of heaven” for all of her life.

She was the quintessential southern lady defined by her warmth and grace with a beautiful smile, the ability to make those around her feel at ease and welcome, always happy to host a party, getting up a tennis game (until she broke her arm rushing the net) or dropping everything for a bridge game.

Anne lived a vibrant, long life which began in NC then onto Richmond in grade school until marrying and moving to Arlington, VA as a newlywed, where she taught school. From there she spent many years in Alexandria ,VA where she raised her young family and then “10 winters” in Barrington, Illinois before coming back to Richmond to stay. She made the best of everyplace she lived, making treasured lifelong friends in every town.

Anne was married to her TJ High School sweetheart, James J. Heffner. He was the track star, she was the cheerleader. They were married for more than 45 years, until his death at the age of 67. Anne went on to have a new phase of life filled with traveling the world on cruises, warm summer weeks in Nantucket and escaping from cold winters in Pompano Beach, FL. She filled her days with friends, family and more bridge.

She had a great affinity for her alma mater UNC, Chapel Hill, where she was a true basketball enthusiast which lasted all her life. Many a game was won by her cheering from her chair as she did on the field when she attended. Anne made sure that in all her homes, something was painted “Carolina blue”.

Anne is survived by her daughter, Susan Dilsaver and son Jeff (Heather) Heffner and grandson Tim Dilsaver, jr. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and son in law ,Tim and her parents.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff watching over her at Cedarfield that made the last 10 years of her life comfortable and happy. The nursing staff in the assisted living wing took such loving care of her during her most recent years, with Pauline and Lisa being her main daily help. A special thank you to her care givers Evelyn, Enica and her “sunshine” Keyla, who is as outgoing Anne. The two of them shared a love of being out with people and joining activities wherever they could.

Anne will be dearly missed by all who knew her, for her charm and hospitality, endearing friendship and example as a loving mother.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on Wednesday, September 10th in the Cedarfield fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the music fund at St James’s Episcopal Church in Richmond or St Jude Children’s Hospital.