Sylvia A. Heaney

Sylvia A. Heaney of Cibolo, Texas, passed away at the age of 89, on Wednesday, 31 July 2024, to complete her journey to heaven after a multi-year struggle with a variety of health problems.

Sylvia was born at dawn on the 13th of March 1935 in Holden, Massachusetts to Enrico and Theresa Pereschino. 

Sylvia grew up in a warm-hearted, loving family of Italian immigrants in the small town of Barre, Massachusetts. She attended school in Barre and upon high school graduation she matriculated to Milford, Massachusetts, where she became an RN. 

After working as an RN with the VA in Rutland, Massachusetts she joined the United States Air Force and was stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. Her second Air Force assignment was to Royal Air Force Base Alconbury in England. It was there that she met her husband, Patrick Heaney. They were married in Barre on 4 June 1967 and embarked on a multi-stop journey lasting 57 years. 

Patrick's Air Force career took them from coast to coast, Southwest, Midwest, and even to Hawaii and Canada. This was followed by Sylvia supporting Patrick through a second career with stops in San Diego, Cibolo and Del Rio, Texas. 

The characteristics of warmth and kindness to all she met defined Sylvia throughout her life. At every stop along the way, Sylvia's authentic, sharing, and loving personality won her friends and provided life-long memories. She was active in charitable and church activities wherever she lived finally becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish in Selma, Texas taking communion to the aged and infirmed. 

From being a member of spouses clubs at each military base to being a docent with Mission San Diego, the National Park Service and Amtrak her unassuming manner was like a magnet to others as she highlighted the sights, sounds and history as the train rolled from Del Rio to Alpine, Texas. 

Closer to home her personality, warm nature and old-world culinary skills made parties and gatherings in Patrick and Sylvia’s home actual EVENTS. Her Italian specialties never failed to please. 

Sylvia separated from the Air Force in 1971 when she and Patrick welcomed their pride and joy- Terrance John, who became the rainbow of her life. She then had the opportunity to nurture her maternal instincts through the development of a meaningful and guiding relationship with each of her three granddaughters- Dharma, Sedona, and Caitlin. The pots of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

Sylvia was a wonderful mother, grandma, wife and friend. She always had a smile and kind words for all she met. Her journey to heaven is completed here on earth. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her forever. 

She is survived by her husband, Patrick, son Terrance John and wife Luz Herlinda, and granddaughters Dharma Skye, Sedona Noel and Caitlin Anthem.

A special thanks to the wonderful staff of Silvertree Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for the exceptional care provided to Sylvia.

Visit Sylvia's memorial page at:

https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/SYLVIAAHEANEY/a741bb