Mary Clare Heitker

Mary Clare Heitker

Mary Clare was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the loving wife of Leo B. Heitker for 63 years; cherished mother of Anne (Rik Warren, PhD) Heitker, James (Lindy) Heitker, Mark (Tracey) Heitker, Joseph (Meg) Heitker, and Mary Beth Cossentino; caring grandmother of Sheena (Sean) Rolsen, Victoria Warren, Mercedes (Kyle) Warren Norris, PhD, Katie (John) Sheridan, Mindy (John) Matthews, Joseph (Frannie) Heitker, Thomas Heitker, MD, Hayley (Chris) Rubinstein (daughter of Tracey), Christopher (Megan, DPT) Heitker, Elizabeth (Marshal) Carpenter, Jenna (Matthew) Ferdinand, Dominic Cossentino, Michelle (Jonathan) Lucci, Gina (Elijah) Smith, Tony Cossentino, Lea Cossentino; and proud great-grandmother of William, Isabel, Madeline, JP, James, Molly, Michael, Mitchell, Maria, Lucy, Liam, Kate, Josephine, Leo, Weston, Leighton, Oakley, Aria, Henry, Hayes, Amelia, Hadassah, and Elizabeth. She is survived by numerous extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leo, her parents John J. and Rosalyn Heiselman, her sister Rose (Paul) Busam, and her brothers John (Bonnie) Heiselman, and Jerry (Joni) Heiselman and their spouses. Also preceded in death by her in-laws Joyce Heitker, Mary Doyle, Ed Bracke, Margie and Ken Laib, and Rose and Don Ashcraft. She is survived by her in-laws, Bill Heitker, Helen Bracke, and Bob Doyle.

Mary Clare graduated as the valedictorian of the 1950 class of St. Mary High School. She married Leo on September 25, 1954. She had a special love for new babies and their mothers. As a early member of the LaLeche League of Cincinnati, she supported and advocated for nursing moms. As a devout Catholic, she was a 50+ year member of the Church of the Assumption, Mt Healthy. She and Leo always dedicated time for daily Mass during their retirement years. For many years, she was an active member of the Legion of Mary visiting the home-bound. She also participated in the Parish Council, school events, the festival, and the Scouting programs. Her favorite activities included traveling with her husband to visit her grandchildren and great grandchildren, "side trips" to U.S. historical sites, bird watching, and family gatherings.

Mary Clare passed away on March 20, 2025 at the age of 92. Visitation will take place at Paul R. Young Funeral Home - Mt. Healthy, 7345 Hamilton Ave., on Tuesday, March 25 from 9 - 11 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Church of the Assumption, 7711 Joseph St. at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place after Mass at the Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be directed to the St. Louis Center in Chelsea Michigan, a home for those with special needs. St. Louis Center or the Alzheimer's Association in support of dementia research. ALZ

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