Dr. Jean Louise Heffron, 82, Noblesville, died April 6 after a very long illness. She was born Sept. 3, 1933 in New Orleans, La. to Wallace B. and Catherine Leahr (Kelly) Heffron.
She graduated from Dominican High School and then from Dominican College, with a B.A. degree in Spanish and English. Jean received her M.Ed degree in Counseling at Louisiana State University. Her education continued with post-master’s study at the University of Tennessee. The culmination of her education was earning a Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University in Muncie.
Jean was a lifelong educator, starting her career as a teacher of English at Peters Junior High School in New Orleans. She then became one of the early public school counselors at Live Oak Junior High School in New Orleans. After her Doctoral degree, Jean was temporarily an Assistant Professor of Psychology-Counseling at Ball State University teaching master’s level courses on Air Force bases in Wiesbaden, Germany and Madrid. She then was an Assistant Professor of Education and Psychology at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Mo. teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses. She earned the honor of Merit Teacher while there. While at SEMO she was a part-time counselor for Lutheran Family and Children’s Services. She was also a consultant to the Department of Public Welfare in Cape Girardeau. Jean’s final position in education was as assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Ball State University and as an admissions counselor. She retired from Ball State.
Throughout the years, Jean made many visits to New Orleans for holidays and family events. She never truly left home (New Orleans). In her retirement, she lived at Morse Lake in Noblesville.
She is survived by her nephews, Bobby (Ann) Roth, Tim (Peggy) Roth and Larry Roth; her niece, Peggy Roth; several great and great-great-nieces and nephews; and dear friends, Shirley Trent, Wayne Everard and Irene Wainwright.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Gerry (Heffron) Roth; a niece, Anne Catherine (Roth) Everard; and a nephew, Steve Roth.
At Jean’s request, there will be no services. She will be cremated and her ashes will rest in the family plot in New Orleans.
Anyone wanting to do so may remember Jean with a contribution to the Richard Harris Disability Services Fund #8603, at the Ball State University Foundation, Alumni Center, 2800 West Bethel Ave., Muncie, IN 47304.
She was a lovely lady. Rest in peace, Jean.
Condolences: www.randallroberts.com