Obituary of Patricia Gail Heller

Patricia Gail Heller, 71, of Mine Hill, passed away in her home with her husband at her side, on Saturday, May 12, 2018. She took on her battle with cancer not as a fighter, but as a warrior. Born in Springfield, MA she resided in Enfield, CT, Randolph for 16 years and then Mine Hill for the last 18 years.

Patricia graduated from the University of Connecticut and later received her Masters in Education from Kean University. Her career as an elementary school teacher spanned over 30 years and she retired from the Livingston School District in 2012. Pat and Tom were adventurous travelers, enjoying off-road adventures to the west, visits to the Cape and trips to Alaska and Ireland. She loved books, was an avid reader, and belonged to her book club for many decades.  Recently she taught ESL classes at The Literacy Volunteers of Morris County and was an active volunteer in the 2016 Presidential Campaign. Pat was a member of Resurrection Parish, where she was a Eucharistic Minister.

She is survived by Tom her husband of 33 years; daughter Jennifer Cleffi Cifrodella of Denville; son David Cleffi of Cape May Courthouse; two step children Travis Heller of Clifton and Autumn Trunzo of East Stroudsburg; sister Sally Ann MacArthur of Denville and seven grandchildren Ryan, Jordan, Jack, Emma, Julie, Erika and Alyssa.

Visitation Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 3:00-5:00PM and 7:00-9:00PM at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 State Route 10 West, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com). Funeral Mass Thursday, May 17, 2018, 10:00AM at Resurrection Parish, Randolph. Interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Dover.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, www.lustgarten.org.