Marigrace Heyer Parfitt

Marigrace (Kobrick) Heyer Parfitt

Marigrace M. (Kobrick) Heyer Parfitt, 86, of White Bear, Summit Hill, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, in Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of Robert Parfitt.

Before retiring in 2006, she was the lifestyle editor and a news reporter for 37 years for the Times News, Lehighton.

She was an award-winning newspaper reporter, having received many awards from the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, Philadelphia Press Association and Pennsylvania Women's Press Association.

Born on Aug. 1, 1939 in Hazleton, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Mary (Lawler) Kobrick.

Growing up, she went to St. Ann's Catholic School in Lansford and was a 1957 graduate of Marian Catholic High School.

She served as an intern at the Lakewood Playhouse, meeting actors and forging her interest in an acting career. After her employment there, she and a friend traveled to New York City, where she lived in a convent and began modeling for various clothing companies.

Marigrace returned home and settled in the White Bear section of Summit Hill, joining the Times News in the page makeup department on Oct. 27, 1969. She worked her way through the company and was promoted to lifestyle editor in 1972.

Marigrace and Bob married in 1981, raising her two children and welcoming three grandchildren.

She was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Coaldale and had served on the Carbon County Environmental Education Center Board.

She had a passion for life, and wanted to be a "Jack of all trades." She loved writing, taking photos (and had a dark room in her home to develop the film), traveling, food, dancing, keeping up with fashion and most importantly, spending time with her family.

Her family remembers her as a practical joker, always looking for ways to make them laugh; as well as a beacon of light that shone brightly wherever she went.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Ginny Heyer of Philadelphia and James Heyer and his wife Kathy of Schneckville; and three grandchildren, Gracie of Philadelphia, Jacob of San Diego, California, and Megan of Schnecksville.

She is also survived by close family friends, Joe and Mary Zubek of Summit Hill, and Amy, Bob, Jordan and Logan Miller, who loved and supported her and Bob over the last several years.

Services: Private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent in Marigrace's name to the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, 151 E. White Bear Drive, Summit Hill, PA 18250.