Eleanor "Ellie" Nelson Heffernan

YAKIMA, Wash. - Eleanor "Ellie" Nelson Heffernan passed away Saturday, June 21, 2008, in her Yakima, Wash., home after a courageous battle against cancer.
Eleanor was born on the family farm near Victoria, Ill., to Clark and Minnie Nelson. She graduated from ROVA High School and then received her B.A. degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. From there, her educational travels took her to Syracuse University, where she earned two master's degrees and met her husband Henry J. "Hank" Heffernan. Thus, were combined two loves of her life, her love of learning and the lifelong love match with Hank
After their wedding in August 1957, the couple moved to Athens, Ga., where she began her teaching career as a political science teacher at the U. of Georgia. They then moved to the west coast after a short stop in Pendelton, Ore., and Walla Walla, Wash. They finally settled in Yakima, Wash., in 1965. In 1966 Eleanor began her career at Yakima Valley Community College which lasted until 2001. This affiliation led to many wonderful friendships and allowed her to be involved in the academic world where she thrived. Her final position as dean of student services, which included sports, dorms and all aspects of student life, enabled her to meet and share the lives of an amazing number of students, faculty and staff. She continued many of these friendships until her death.
Eleanor's greatest joy was found in her grandchildren to which she was the best of the best Nana; her other great joys were reading and cooking. She belonged to two book groups and ended up writing as book about retirement with one of her good friends. She was the ultimate hostess and appreciated nothing more than a reason to have a happy party. After retirement she was able to enjoy travels to China, Mexico and Europe as well as every part of the USA.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. Henry Heffernan; her three daughters, Kathleen (Mark) Brown of Seattle, Wash., Heidi (Mike) Hakala of Lake Tapps, Wash., and Mary Beth (Chuck) Trester of Issaquah, Wash.; her four grandchildren, Jessica and John Hakala, Hilary and Stuart Brown; two brothers, Clark Lyonel Nelson of Chicago and Charles Blanchard Nelson of Santa Paula, Calif.; and one sister-in-law, Alice Ann Nelson of Salem, Ore.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Carroll Roger Nelson.
A celebration of Eleanor's life was Tuesday, July 8, at The Seasons in Yakima.
Memorials are suggested to the Eleanor N. Heffernan Scholarship at YVCC, Yakima, Wash., the American Cancer Foundation of America or the Eleanor Nelson Memorial, Victoria Methodist Church, Victoria, IL 61485.