Frieda Noga Heckman

1946 - 2026

Frieda Noga Heckman, 79, of Cleveland, NY passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Crouse Hospital, leaving behind a life marked by compassion, service, and devotion to her family and community.

Frieda was born on July 12, 1946, in Linz, Austria, and immigrated to the United States when she was 18 months old with her parents Julian and Frieda Greinegger Noga. She grew up in Utica, NY, where she graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1965. Her early years in Utica helped shape her strong sense of community and dedication to helping others. Frieda was very proud of her Polish and Austrian heritage. She was fluent in Polish, German and American Sign Language.

She later moved to Syracuse, NY, where she married Leon Heckman. Together they built a family and raised their two sons, Todd and Eric. Frieda was a devoted mother who took great pride in supporting and encouraging her children throughout their lives. She loved getting together with family and friends. Holidays and summer picnics were some of her favorite times, especially when she got together with her dear friend and "sister" Roberta Colwell. The pair would always light up a room with laughter and fun times.

Frieda dedicated her professional life to serving the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, as well as the visually impaired. She attained her BA degree in Social Work from SUNY Cortland and worked as a social worker for CNY Association for the Hearing Impaired, where she helped bridge communication between deaf individuals and the hearing world. Later, she worked at Aurora of CNY where she started the summer program at Lourdes Camp for deaf children. She also helped develop and worked at the pre-college program at LeMoyne College for the visually impaired. Additionally, she initiated the used hearing aid program for disadvantaged families. Through her work, she touched many lives and was known for her patience, empathy, and unwavering commitment to the people she served.

In Frieda's retirement years, she enjoyed wintering with her companion Jim Stelmach in St. Cloud, FL.

Frieda will be remembered for her kindness, her quiet strength, and the care she showed to those around her. Her work and her life reflected a deep belief in helping others and making the world more accessible and compassionate.

She is survived by her sons, Todd and his partner Patty of Watertown, NY, and Eric and his wife Zed of Boston, MA., and by her brother, Richard of New Hartford, NY. Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched.

A special thanks goes out to her longtime friends and coworkers, Diane LaBeff and Anne Costa for helping Frieda with her doctor appointments, visiting her when she was sick, and making life easier for her.

A graveside service will be held at the family mausoleum during the summer at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Utica, NY.