HAVERHILL: Virginia M. (Hefferan) Casey, 89, passed away peacefully at the Wingate Nursing Home on Monday, August 6, 2012. She was the wife of the late Francis X. Casey who died in 1961.
Born in Haverhill on October 6, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Frank J. and Georgina (Bousfield) Hefferan. She attended schools in Haverhill and was a graduate of Groveland High School. Virginia served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was honorably discharged as a Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class on January 30, 1946. She took great pride in the service that she gave to her country.
Virginia lived for a short time in Westborough with her husband, Francis and after his unexpected death she decided to move back to Haverhill. She then gave birth six weeks later to their only son, whom Francis never got to meet. She settled into raising her two children by herself and could often be found attending PTA Meetings, youth concerts, art shows, and baseball and hockey games throughout their school years. She worked for the Haverhill School System in a variety of different capacities and retired from the Knipe School in Bradford, where she worked as a librarian.
She derived great joy from her two grandchildren and loved to spend time with her family. Virginia will leave a legacy of tremendous spirit, strength, determination and love which she demonstrated throughout her life.
She is survived by her son, Mark F. Casey and his wife, Jill; two grandchildren, Anna and Ricky Casey all of Hampstead, NH; her sister, Joan (Hefferan) McCarthy of Bradford and several nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her beloved daughter, Susan M. Casey in 2004, two brothers, Dick and Robert Hefferan and a sister, Arleen Franklin.
Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday in the Sacred Hearts Church, South Main St., Bradford at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill from 4 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Jimmy Fund, c/o Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168. Interment will be held in the Elmwood Cemetery, Bradford.