We are gathered here today to remember my wonderful mother, Sharon Heck. Her vibrant, jovial soul would brighten up any room, and her ability to put a smile on anyone’s face was effortless and genuine. True to her selfless nature, she would give you the items from her own home if you expressed the least bit of interest in them, and for every event, she was the first person to arrive to help set up and the last person to leave after everything has been cleaned up and put away. She was a true entertainer and friend, one you could count on during both times of joy and sorrow, and for that, she will truly be missed.
Mom’s cooking was beyond compare, and luckily for all of us, it was her way to show her love for her friends and family. Whether it be for an informal gathering, holiday, or just a normal Sunday, Mom would go above and beyond to ensure we were all well-fed. At times, she would try novel and new recipes that she found on TV, all because she knew we would like it. Since she ate very little herself, this further speaks to her selfless and caring nature. I will never forget that whenever she knew I was coming home, she would first say, “Oh! I am so excited!” followed by, “what do you want to eat?” More often than not, it was chicken paprikash because Mom’s spin on it was decadent and delicious. It was also through her cooking that we bonded the most. When I was younger, she would call me her “little shadow” because I was always following her around, especially in the kitchen. Once I got older, she came to appreciate having a sous chef to help her. Though, with all the complex recipes she liked to try, she would sometimes have the ego of a chef on Food Network! I learned so much of how to cook from her, and it is something that I will carry with me throughout life, and I know that every time I step into the kitchen to prepare a meal (or steal a slice of cheese), she will be right there with me.
Anyone that knew Mom knew that she absolutely loved animals. Since I can remember, she always talked about wanting a dog. When we finally got Dakota, I will never forget the look on Mom’s face, hysterical with tears of pure joy. Without a doubt, she imparted her love of animals onto us. Heck, I now obsessively follow bulldog accounts on Instagram and dream of one day owning a dog myself. Once Dakota passed, she was heartbroken, but since getting Harley, she was smitten and would constantly say that, “Dakota sent Harley to us because he wanted us to be happy.” How right she was. Harley brought her immeasurable joy and happiness, and the thing is, he didn’t even have to do much! All he had to do was snuggle up to her, and she would turn to mush. Harley never left her side, and he proved to be a true companion until the very end. I know given the opportunity, Mom would have had the house filled with dogs. In fact, she would often bring up her dream of one day buying a house with a gigantic yard so that she could have tons of dogs. As the old saying goes, all dogs go to heaven, and I can say with full confidence that she has made this dream come true now that she is at peace.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, gratitude, and compassion—felt and remembered by all that knew her. She is survived by my father and her husband of 33 years (Craig Sr), myself and my two siblings (Ashleigh and Connor), her dog (Harley), her mother (Mary), four siblings and their spouses/partners (Linda [Chris], Jimmy [Debbie], Timmy [Donnell], and Sean), four nieces and nephews (Melissa, Jill, Dylan, and Zack), two grandnieces and grandnephews (Max and Willa), and countless friends, co-workers, and loved ones. Although greatly missed, it is comforting to know she is now reunited with her father (James), uncle (Michael), stepfather (George), first dog (Dakota), and several other friends and family members we have lost along the way.
No matter if you were her family by blood or by choice, my mother made every effort to express her love and appreciation for others. Though we find comfort in knowing that she has found peace, it is still difficult to say goodbye to such a wonderful mother, wife, and friend—and judging from today’s weather, it is apparent that Mother Nature and the heavens mourn her passing, as well. We love and miss you, Mom. You can rest easy knowing that we will carry your legacy with us and that you will always be in our hearts, wishes, and dreams.
