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Bennington College

Sean Heaney Obituary

Born in 1959, Sean Andrew Heaney of Newport, Vermont, was a gifted poet, a lover of film, art, ballet, baseball, and music. Sean earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Bennington College. He published two books of his own work, one collection of poetry entitled Heroine, and Out of Eden, a study of the period poet Federico Garcia Lorca spent in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont in the 1920s, before publishing his magnum opus, Poet in New York. A champion of the work of other poets, Sean also edited and published a posthumous collection of poetry from his late Bennington classmate Claire Clube, called Changelings and Omen Birds. Sean was deeply interested in the figure of the triple Goddess and was working on a book based on recent archaeological finds about ancient matriarchal cultures at the time of his death.

This image from Heroine reflects the loss felt by Sean's family and friends:

"This tree has bloomed and grown to fill

The contours of your absence,

Silvered tracery on the slender bodice."

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Union Leader on Aug. 3, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Sean Heaney

20 Entries

E &T

November 3, 2024

A loss of consequence, Our prayers and condolences to Sean's family, Can see a wee plane bearing a 'Semper Fi' bannee across the clouds. RIP Sean

Dorsey

September 24, 2024

Some many great times in the courtyard : )
Be at peace big guy

Dorsey

Mark Salerno

September 1, 2024

Sean Heaney was my best friend. There was a time when I wasn't thinking about anything except poetry and Sean. We met in Colorado in 1982. See you soon, Seanie.

The family of Paul Donahue

Planted Trees

Joellen Heaney

August 10, 2024

Miss you so much already. Love you, Seaney.

Jon Hopwood

August 9, 2024

This poem comes to mind whilst contemplating Sean, both his life and transit....

"Pied Beauty"
by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Glory be to God for dappled things -
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches´ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced - fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.

Matt Guidmore

August 4, 2024

Matt Guidmore
I was Sean's classmate at MASH, Milford NH HIGH, we graduated the same year in 1977.

I remember Sean as a quiet rebel. In my mind I can see him striding up the hallway at school his lanky frame swaying back and forth, his wild head of curly locks matching his stride. If I remember correctly, his taste in music was BOB DYLAN. I can see him sitting at the table or desk his head supported with one hand.
I was not close to Sean, but these are my school memories.....

Jeb Heaney

August 4, 2024

Swamy, i´ll always remember the good times watching the stooges driving through the Vermont countryside listening to music and watching great movies. Most of all I will miss our great conversations. Be at peace brother and enjoy your reward. Jeb.

Annie Christoni

August 3, 2024

Jocelyn - I am so very sorry .. sending all my love your way.

Pam Fallon Banks

August 2, 2024

I´ve known Sean since we were kids. We kept up recently sharing our love of ballet. I read his books. When I think oh him I remember his laugh, love of music and the three stooges. I am really going to miss him.

Jay O'Connell

August 2, 2024

You will be missed old friend, but the memories will always live on. Fellow non-conformist.

Jay O'Connell

Kevin Donahue

August 2, 2024

Jeb, Joellen and Jocelyn,

We're sorry to hear of Sen's passing. He was a good man and friend. While we didn't see each other very often, when we did it was a very enjoyable day filled with much laughter and memories.
Rest assured Sean is experiencing "eternal life" with our relatives.
Please accept our deepest condolences.
Cousin Kevin and Wendy

Jeff Haymes

August 1, 2024

Sean was a great friend in times past. We had a great group that would all hang out at Paul Collins home in Amherst in the 70´s. Stephen King, Dave Dow, Sean, Mark Braden, Glenn Mason, Janet Heaney and Mike Paquette. Each person so talented in their own way. Some have left their mark on society in their own way and taken from us too soon. RIP Sean. I remember you the way you were in the 70´s , 80´s and 90´s and I will always remember the good time we shared.

Karen Dio Martin

August 1, 2024

Sean, it was a blessing to know you and to listen to you talk about your passions. You will be greatly missed. My love and prayers to your family.

Maura Baptist

July 31, 2024

To the wonderful family of Sean! I knew Sean briefly when I went to BU. He is loving and interesting, brooding and poetic. He had great ideas and made everything fun. He taught me about music and romance and family. I am so sorry for your loss for your brother that can´t be replaced.

Elizabeth Pisanelli

July 31, 2024

A beautiful soul taken too soon. Sean I will miss you.

Michael Paquette

July 31, 2024

Sean was a dear friend of mine in my youth and he served as an usher at our wedding. Much of the music I have enjoyed over the years was first introduced to me by Sean. Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, Billie Holiday, Lou Reed and Jim Carroll. He turned me on to the beat writers and Ernest Hemmingway and Walt Whitman. We shared a love of classic films and anything with Robert Deniro, Jack Nicholson or Harry Dean Stanton in it. We shared good times in Mont Vernon, NH, Boston and the North Shore. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Jocelyn Heaney

July 30, 2024

From Billie Holiday and Maria Callas to Joy Division and the Clash, from Citizen Kane to Showgirls, he taught me about high culture, low culture and everything in between. I was so lucky to call him my brother.

Sheila Windt

July 30, 2024

Sean looks so handsome in this photo.

Shaun Paine

July 30, 2024

I lived with his family in Ojai for a small amount of time. I was going through a lot of inner turmoil at 16 years old and he was kind to me while I was there and treated me very nice. I'm sad he's gone.

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