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BORN
1938
DIED
2024
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Gay Heppes Obituary
Gay Holland Mead Heppes
January 2nd, 1938 – November 23rd, 2024
Gay Holland Mead Heppes of River Forest, wife of the late Charles Hardy Mead and the late Don W. Heppes, passed away on November 23rd, 2024.
Born on January 2nd 1938 in Oak Park, Illinois, she spent most of her childhood and all of her adult life in River Forest, Illinois. She attended Northwestern University, singing and dancing in the Waa-Mu show, and graduated with a teaching degree. Gay composed poetry and every year wrote a poem for Christmas to celebrate the holiday season. She was active in Infant Welfare and the ASID Showcase house and always had her door open and a smile on her face for family, neighbors, and friends. She loved to entertain and did so gracefully.
A member of the River Forest Tennis Club, tennis was a big part of her life shared with her husband Chuck Mead. They were owners of Acorn Travel in River Forest and took trips internationally for work, pleasure, and to visit family in Europe. After Chuck’s death in 2002, she married Don Heppes and became an active member of the Oak Park Country Club, learning how to master 18 holes as if she had done that all of her life. She and Don were Naples Florida snowbirds, but Gay always made it a point to be in River Forest to host Thanksgiving for family members.
She was the mother of William Mead, Holly Bottinelli, and Michelle (Matthew) Schara; grandmother of Madilynn Mead (daughter Harper) and Michael Mead, Laure (Lugar) Choi-Bottinelli (son Theodore Uju) and Julien Bottinelli, and Kendall, Marley and Elle Schara; sister to Sandra Nelson and the late Nancy Arends; daughter of the late Virginia and Kirk Holland. Gay is also survived by Don’s children: Lynn (Lin) Hancock and Carol (Robert) German; and their children: David (Carissa) Hancock and Ben (Anna) Hancock (son Simon Peter) and Isabelle, Katherine and Jack German.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday November 27th at the First Presbyterian Church of River Forest, Quick and Lathrop Ave.
Memories and Condolences
for Gay Heppes
5 Entries
Jim Riley
June 28, 2025
Gay was our OPRFHS friend and over the years always looked forward to our class reunion wanting to see and experience Gay. Just a nice person. Fun memories. Our loss!!! Thank you Gay for being you!!!
Jim Riley (class 1955 )
Peggy Young
December 2, 2024
I am so sorry to hear of Gay’s passing. She was quite an amazing woman who always seemed to live life to the fullest. I will always remember how she welcomed me into her home, especially during my difficult times, and treated me like one of her own - as she did with so many family and friends. She was so kind to me and my son Derion - she took me shopping when I was pregnant and bought me a musical elephant pull toy that we still have and it still plays the sweetest lullaby! My heart goes out to her large and extended family - she was so proud of her children and all grandchildren and great grandchildren! May you find joy in the memories of her. Rest in peace, Gayzie.
Jane Buckley
November 26, 2024
My condolences and prayers to the family of Gay Heppes on her unexpected passing.
Gay will be remembered here at Indies West for many things and one in particular for the effort she put forth in having the Ladies Luscious Luncheons. It was a way for ladies to not only have a delicious lunch in various restaurants but for newcomers to get acquainted with those of us who were longtime owners at Indies West. It created a sense of belonging for everyone. She will certainly be missed.
John and Liz Haesler
November 25, 2024
Gay was a wonderful and generous member of our community here at Indies West in Naples, and she will be missed greatly. She always had a smile and kind word for everyone and she carried herself with grace whether at a social gathering or while enjoying the sun and sand at the beach. Condolences to Gay's family and many friends.
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Ann and Mike Robinson
November 25, 2024
I would like to send our sympathies and prayers in the passing of your mother. We met Gay at Indies West. She was so happy to be able to attend her grand daughter’s wedding in Paris. We admired her poise and was ever so proper. She will be greatly missed from those of us at Indies West.
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Peterson-Bassi Chapels - Chicago6938 West North Avenue, Elmwood Park, IL 60707