Helen Basta Heffernan

Helen Basta Heffernan, 82, of Seymour, died Wednesday, December 24, 2014.  She was the loving wife of 61 years to Daniel P. Heffernan, devoted mother to Daniel A. Heffernan (Patricia) of Montgomery, NY, William F. Heffernan of Cohoes, NY, Mary T. Morton (R. Wynn) of Brewster, MA, Margaret A. Cusick (James) of Southport, NC, Thomas P. Heffernan (Elizabeth) of Lovettsville, VA, and Michael J. Heffernan (Marianne) of Southbury, CT; Grandmother to Daniel K., Michael J., Michael T., and Elizabeth A. Heffernan, Jill and Brian Morton, Lauren and Erin Cusick, and Katharine Pecor.  She was pre-deceased by her sister Ann Mester (Joseph), a brother Willard Basta, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Mrs. Heffernan was born in Buffalo, NY, daughter of the late Frank and Elizabeth Gido Basta.  She developed a love for drawing and painting and became an accomplished artist through classes at the Buffalo Museum of Arts and Science.  She moved to Ansonia as a teenager, and graduated from Ansonia High School as Valedictorian of the Class of 1950.  She married in 1953 and moved to Seymour where she lived her remaining years. She was a youthful member of the Church of the Assumption Choir, sang in the St. Augustine's Church Choir for over 30 years, was a member of the Seymour Woman's Club, and volunteered at the Seymour Historical Society.  Helen worked as a secretary and later as a valued optometric assistant. Upon retirement Helen relished traveling, taking countless driving trips with Dan to Ireland, Britain, the European Continent and many U.S. destinations.  Her love of art transferred to an interest in photography on these journeys, which carried over to the photographic recording of family occasions. Helen's family was her life, her 6 children her joy.  She cherished time spent with them and her 9 grandchildren.  She was a sport's viewing addict, had a passion for reading, enjoyed letter writing to keep in touch with family and friends, and was a great cook.  She was a smart, kind, loving person whose loss is deeply felt. Funeral Services will be held at the Anthony V. Chepulis Funeral Home, 47 Washington Ave. Seymour,  on Tuesday December 30 ^th at 9:15 am for a 10:00 Mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine Church  with her Brother-in-law, Fr. Robert Heffernan officiating.  Interment will follow at St. Augustine Cemetery.  Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Monday evening from 4-8:00pm. To leave an on-line condolence or sign the guest book, please visit www.chepulisfuneralhome.com