Avis Bates Heaney

On Monday, September 6, 2010, Avis Bates Heaney passed away peacefully at her home in Redlands, CA. She was 95. Avis was born May 11, 1915, in Indian Bench, Utah, the 11th of 12 children born to Lillie Zell Buckminister and William Sherman Bates. The Bates family eventually moved to Red Bluff, California, and became prominent farmers in the area. Avis married William Heaney on November 30, 1935, in Paynes Creek, CA. Avis was a trailblazer for woman's rights, working her way up the career ladder at a time when most women rarely had jobs. When she retired in 1986, she was the CFO of Norton Air Force Base and a well known figure at the Pentagon. She was also heavily involved in the Redlands community, contributing to the Redlands Bowl, acting as president of the board at the Norton Air Force Base Credit Union (now Alta Vista Credit Union), active in the Zonta Club and president of the Business and Professional Women's Club from 1982-1983. Avis is preceded in death by her 11 siblings, husband, and daughter Deirdre Foster. She is survived by her two sons, Donn and Duane Heaney, 14 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Redlands on Saturday, September 25th at 11:00.