MARY HELLER

HELLER--Mary W.

(Wheeler) Beloved mother, grandmother and friend died peacefully on December 25, 2017 in New York, NY. Born in Sterling, IL on March 4, 1928, Mary attended the Jokake School in Scottsdale, AZ and then the Emma Willard School before earning BA's from both the University of Chicago and the University of Arizona. She moved to New York City in the 1950's and worked at "The New Yorker" magazine for several years. In 1956, Mary married the late Peter S. Heller with whom she shared a deep love and friendship for 50 years. Mary was a professional Fine Art photographer; she and Peter travelled the world exploring, learning and looking for that magical place or moment which she so often captured in her images. Mary and Peter also shared a deep attachment to Nantucket and worked together to conserve its history, environment and character of the island through their leadership and support of The 'Sconset Trust, The Nantucket Conservation Foundation, The Nantucket Land Council. In New York, Mary devoted herself to public education and the arts. As a longtime trustee of the Public Education Association and Chair of the Board of the NYC School Volunteer Program, she was a leader in the movement to improve the city's public schools. Mary served as President of the Board of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and was a longtime board member of the McDowell Colony and the International Center for Photography. In addition, Mary was an active member of the Century Association. Mary is survived by her daughter Kate Heller O'Reilly and two grandchildren Mary Ellen O'Reilly and Sean Peter Alden O'Reilly. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Saint James' Church, 865 Madison Avenue, New York, NY. Gifts in Mary's memory may be made to The 'Sconset Trust www.scontsettrust.org