Mary H. Heckbert, 78, of Derry, NH died peacefully December 24, 2006 at her residence following a two-year struggle with cancer. She was born in Medford, MA on February 23, 1928, a daughter of the late Charles and Mary (Barrett) Saunders and had resided in Derry for more than 50 years. She had been employed by the H.E. Harris Company as a printer for 28 years and later by the HADCO/Sanmina Corp for 18 years, prior to her retirement in 2000. Mrs. Heckbert was a communicant of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. She was nicknamed “Nine-Lives” by those around her for the strength and recuperative powers during her illness.
She is survived by two sons, Eugene F. Saunders and Brian S. Heckbert, both of Derry; two grandchildren, Christopher Saunders of Hudson, NH and Kristine McFarland of Derry; several nieces and nephews, including Ann Mele, who cared for her during her last illness. She was pre-deceased by a son, Robert Heckbert in 1988.
Calling hours were held on Wednesday, December 27th from 6 to 8 PM in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Thursday at 10 AM in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Ave., Derry. Burial followed in Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry, NH.