Judith A. Heffernan

Judith (Judy) Ann Heffernan, née Simiola, age 74, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at The Connecticut Hospice in Branford with her family by her side.

Judy was born on October 26, 1947, in New Haven to the late Carmine Simiola and Julia Giordano Simiola. She moved to West Haven at an early age, attended St. Mary’s High School, and graduated from Quinnipiac University in 1969.

She worked for the West Haven Board of Education as a paraprofessional for most of her career. Following her official retirement in June 2012, Judy worked in the cafeteria and library at the University of New Haven (UNH). She received the Faculty and Staff Appreciation Award by the UNH Undergraduate Student Government Association for her dedication and service to the university community.

Much of Judy‘s younger life was devoted to her children, attending numerous sporting events and artistic performances by her sons. She enjoyed spending time at the family’s vacation home in Vermont and hosting many holiday meals and cookouts for family and friends. Everyone loved Judy’s Italian cooking. She was also a passionate Dallas Cowboys and Boston Red Sox fan. During her retirement, she loved walking the boardwalk down at West Haven Beach with her friends, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Judy is survived by her husband of 51 years, Robert Heffernan, son of late former West Haven Mayor William J. Heffernan and Genevieve Heffernan, née Reynolds.  Also surviving are her loving sons, Jason Heffernan; James Heffernan and his wife Wendi; and Christopher Heffernan and his partner Anthony Triolo. She also leaves behind 3 cherished grandchildren, Julia and Adelyn Heffernan and James Heffernan Jr. 

Services will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2022, from 4-7 p.m. at Keenan Funeral Home, 238 Elm St., West Haven. A mass will follow on Friday, January 28, 2022, at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Victory Church (the former St. John Vianney by the Sea) in West Haven followed by a burial of her remains at St. Lawrence Cemetery.

Judy loved animals and was a breast cancer survivor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer or to CLAWS, an animal charity at clawsadopt.org.

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