Barbara Hegg

1931 - 2016

Barbara Ruth Gaiser Hegg DALLAS, TX - Barbara passed away peacefully in the twilight of December 12, 2015. Her loving husband Thomas R. Hegg and daughter, Elizabeth Lorenz, precede her in death. Barbara was born on May 11, 1931, in Charleston, Illinois, to Carrie Ruth Helton and Joseph Gaiser, and was the youngest of five children. Barbara's mother passed away when she was only 14, and Barbara lovingly cared for her blind father until her graduation from Teachers High School, now called Eastern State High School, in 1949. Barbara spoke of her mother's early death as the greatest heartbreak of her life, yet she also cherished dearly those years caring for her father. For her, it was a rare and special time to provide for her father, and it would greatly influence her eventual career as a nurse. Following in her mother's footsteps, Barbara also became a nurse. She moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she attended nursing school at Huron School of Nursing, now part of the Cleveland Clinic. She graduated in 1952 as a Registered Nurse. In her 40 years as an RN she held many positions most notably as the Head Nurse in the early 1980's of one of the first plastic surgery floors to specialize in breast reconstruction for women following mastectomies and she also was the Nursing Director of Rehabilitation of a large city hospital. Prior to retirement she returned to bedside nursing. Barbara radiated joy and competency in her position as a nurse. Her quick intelligence, quiet strength and unyielding compassion for her patients made her an exceptional caretaker. Barbara had three daughters; Rebecca Lorenz (Columbus, IN), Elizabeth Lorenz (deceased) and Barbara Witham (Dallas, TX). She raised her daughters in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and was a remarkable mother. She taught her daughters to not be prejudiced towards any person, to offer other people a helping hand, and that after the rain the sun will always shine. Barbara herself lived these lessons and had a humble and giving heart. She found peace in nature, and became a Master Gardener after retiring from nursing. As a master gardener she volunteered at a school for abused children and taught them the joys of digging in the dirt. Her legacy of compassion lives on in her beloved grandchildren; Giorgianna Auteri, Matteo Auteri, Tim Witham, Leah Witham, Maggie Buchanan, Patrick Buchanan and Sam Hegg. She leaves behind step-children, Susan Hegg, Linda Hegg, Thomas Hegg Jr., Barbara Buchanan and John Hegg and sons-in-law, Dennis Tibbetts and Howard Witham. Barbara's family would like to thank Belmont Village Turtle Creek and also the nurses at Baylor Dallas; Ashley and Meghan/ ER and Mandy and Esther/ 9th floor for their outstanding care towards our mother. Many of the nurses at Baylor went to Barbara's bedside and told her that they were honored to care for her since Barbara as a nurse gave so much to others. Barbara committed a great service by so humbly helping others throughout her whole life and she will be deeply missed. Her burial will be in Black Mountain, North Carolina where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.