Shirley Lehman Heckard

Shirley Heckard ObituaryVisit the Altmeyer Funeral Homes & Crematory - Southside Chapel - Virginia Beach website to view the full obituary.Shirley Heckard, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and educator, passed away peacefully on March 4, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. She was born on June 25, 1935, in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania. She lived a full and rewarding life, reaching the age of 90. Preceding her in death were her parents, Claude and Hattie (Fessler) Lehman, her child, Michael T. Heckard, and her adoring husband, Thomas T. Heckard, in 2016. The bond they shared was one of steadfast love and devotion.Shirley dedicated more than 30 years to shaping young minds as an elementary school teacher in the West York School District, a role she passionately embraced. Her nurturing spirit left an indelible mark on her students and colleagues. After her teaching career, she became involved with the Dover Area Community Library for another 20 years, along with her husband Tom, and served in several roles.Their house was a regular gathering place for family and friends, including an annual end-of-school brunch for their teaching colleagues every June. In addition, she and Tom were very involved as ambassadors for organ donation throughout Pennsylvania in the wake of his successful heart transplant at the Cleveland Clinic.Left to cherish her memory are her two sons, Thomas M. Heckard and his wife, Susan of Virginia Beach, VA, and David A. Heckard and his wife, Cynthia of North Wales, PA. Shirley adored her grandchildren: Kate, Charlotte, and Elizabeth, daughters of Thom; Seamus, Maeve, Padraig, and Finn, children of Dave, and great-grandchildren, Bryson and Tucker, children of Kate. They will always remember the scavenger hunts that were a part of their visits to York and the amazing Christmas gingerbread houses Shirley made every holiday.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dover Area Community Library, c/o Lisa Byerts, 3700 Davidsburg Road, Dover, PA 17315 or by going to www.tmcfunding.com or by clicking "HERE". Services will be held at St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church in York, PA, at 2:00 PM on May 17, 2026. Altmeyer Funeral Home Southside Chapel is honored to serve the Heckard family. Condolences may be left online at www.altmeyerfh.com.Read The Full Obituary