Hedy O'Donnell Obituary (1942

Hedy C. O'Donnell, 76 years old, passed away peacefully on December 11, 2018 after courageously battling pancreatic cancer. Hedy was born in Chicago, IL on January 20, 1942, daughter of Carl Heinze and Theresa Heinze (Schubert). She is survived by her two daughters, Moira (Jeff) Russell and Meghan O'Donnell, as well as her brother Carl (Kathy) Heinze, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Tom, and her parents. Hedy graduated from Mercy High School in Chicago at the age of 16, and continued her studies at St. Xavier University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962. After graduation, she was employed by the Chicago Board of Education as an Elementary Teacher at the Clara Barton School in Chicago. She worked there for several years before pursuing a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling at Northern Illinois University, graduating in 1968. Soon after, she moved into a counseling position and remained there for 7 years before becoming the Assistant Principal, and later the acting Principal of the school. After completing a second Master's Degree in School Psychology from Governor State University in 1993, Hedy took an early retirement from the Chicago Board of Education and accepted a School Psychologist position with the Proviso Area Exceptional Child (PAEC) School District. In that position she worked with, and evaluated, special needs students from both Elementary Schools and High Schools. She enjoyed that position immensely as each day was different. Hedy ultimately retired from PAEC in June 2007 and moved to Arizona with Tom. Once in Arizona, Hedy became involved with many activities within the Saddlebrooke Community, including Putters, Jazzercise, water aerobics, book club, line dancing and playing canasta. Hedy had a passion for music; she played the piano beautifully, and sang in several choirs: the Sonoran Singers and the Saddlebrooke Singers. She loved to travel which took her to exciting places such as Australia, Italy, Germany, and Ireland. She also traveled throughout the U.S., visiting nearly all 50 states including Hawaii and Alaska. Hedy loved entertaining and would decorate the house for every holiday, especially Christmas which was her favorite. She also enjoyed taking daily walks with her husband and other neighbors, and could frequently be found handing out treats to the neighborhood dogs. Hedy was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, who will be missed by those who knew her. SERVICES Funeral Mass - January 9, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Santa Catalina Catholic Church with the interment of ashes to follow at 1:00 PM at the Marana VA Cemetery DONATIONS In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations made in Hedy's memory to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.