Sandy Heffelfinger passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2010, after a courageous 3-year battle with melanoma. She passed away at home with her family, as she wished. She will be deeply missed as a wife, mother, friend to many, and as a wonderful teacher who touched the lives of numerous students over her career of thirty years.
She was born in Butte, MT, on January 2nd, 1940. She attended St. Mary’s Elementary School and graduated from Girls’ Central High School in 1957. Afterward, she attended Montana Tech, (then the Montana School of Mines), for two years before transferring to the University of Montana where she graduated with a BA degree in Education.
After teaching for a time in Colorado and Michigan, she returned to Montana. After several years of teaching at Arlee, she moved to California. She married Howard Heffelfinger in Oceanside, CA, on September 27, 1969. They lived in southern California for the next two years, where she taught in Oceanside and her husband attended San Diego State University. However, the moment he received his graduate degree she insisted on returning to Montana. Sandy’s roots in Montana were deep, and she was never happy when she was away very long. Not long after their return, they adopted their two sons, Kerry and Ryan, who were the lights of their parents’ lives from that time forward.
Sandy’s primary emphasis was on Special Education. She had a remarkable ability to deal with children with special emotional and academic needs. Her patience, skill, and loving care won over such students, regardless of whatever other negative forces or influences were impacting their lives.
Eventually she transferred into the regular classroom where she continued to use innovative and creative techniques to the considerable benefit of her students. She believed in individualized instruction, allowing each student to work at his or her own pace.
As examples of her unique teaching techniques, when she taught at Jefferson Elementary School the presence of the capitol building, one block away, was an ideal instructional lab for her. She heard a song about Montana that she loved, “Montana Melody” by LeGrande Harvey, and decided to lobby the legislature for its passage as the Montana State Ballad. Her students testified at committee hearings, lobbied legislators, and attended second and third reading votes by both chambers. Against all odds, the bill passed. By the time her students participated in the bill signing ceremony with the Governor, her pupils knew more about the legislative process than most adults in the State.
In 1989, during the celebration of Montana’s Centennial, Sandy wanted Jefferson School to participate by sending a plywood female figure across the country, called “Centennial Sal.” After obtaining an agreement from Representative Pat Williams, a note attached to Sal requested anyone encountering her to please convey her somewhere in the direction of Washington, D.C., and eventually to Representative Williams’ office. As she moved across the country from truck stop, to rest stop, to restaurant, to mall parking lot, etc., people along the way sent fill-in letters
stating where they had found and ultimately left her. Many included interesting comments about the immediate area, the people transporting her, and Sal’s journey. She was carried by tourists, atruck drivers, salesmen, locals transporting her just for a few miles, and any manner of other travelers. In receiving the letters, the students learned first hand of the kindness, generosity, and goodwill of the American people. Sal eventually did arrive at Representative Williams’ office, and he brought her back to Helena. When he wheeled her out on the stage of the Jefferson School auditorium, the student body erupted with a deafening cheer. Hopefully they will remember that experience forever.
As much as Sandy enjoyed kids and teaching, she finally did retire in 1995. Both before and after retirement, she was a voracious reader, finishing off a book every several days. She also acquired numerous articles off of the Internet from newspapers and periodicals across the country. She was very knowledgeable about current events and numerous other topics. Sandy also loved gardening, writing, taking rides around Helena, her animals, and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her husband, Howard, two sons, Kerry and Ryan, and her sister Christina McGonigle, of Salt Lake City, and numerous cousins including Ed Moriarity, (Katie) of Bozeman, MT, Mary Kay Downey, (Jerry) of Coronado, CA, William Moriarity, (Penny), Cheyenne, WY, Dan Moriarity, Thermopolis, WY, Michael McGonigle, (Jean), Astoria, OR, Jim McGonigle, (Louise), Bremerton, WA, and Stephanie Eikanas (Brian), Becker MN. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Lucielle McGonigle, of Butte, and several aunts and uncles including her favorite aunt and godmother, Hellie Moriarity.
A memorial service celebrating Sandy’s life will be held on Monday, September 20, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 650 Logan Street, Helena. Lunch will be served following the service. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, that donations be sent to Hospice of St. Peter’s, 2475 Broadway, Helena MT 59601.
Service Schedule
Service Schedule
Share
Mary Chenovick says
Your wife and mother was a great influence on my kids Annie, Mark and Amy when they went through her classroom at Jefferson. I remember International Food Day when the kids were to bring a food from another nation….I made a fish stew and told Annie that it was “Kangaroo Stew” from Austrailia!!! The other kids were almost afraid to try it but they did and they though it was better than they hoped for. Sandy was open to that kind of good-natured kidding. Amy still has a record of “Montana Melody” in which she and Alex Johnson got to have solos. It was a highlight of their grade school years. Sandy, you are remembered very fondly in the Chenovick household! Thank you for being so creative and for letting Mark develop so much of his creative self instead of making him “conform to the norm”. You were a great teacher!!!!
Mark Staples says
Howard,
I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful life-partner, Sandy. The few times I met her she was gracious, bright, clearly in love with you, and proud of her family. She never spoke of her accomplishments, but the list is remarkable.
Howard, you are one of my favorite people in the world, intelligent, wise, kind, compassionate, articulate, and you know the true essences of friendship.
I grieve for you and your family. As you know, I lost my brother just a few months ago and I’m still heartbroken; I know how hard it is. I do take solace in the wonderful years my brother and I had together and hope you can as well be comforted by having had a 40 year marriage to such a unique, talented, and giving woman.
Bless you, Howard.
Mark Staples
Shirley DeVoe Mencher says
As administrators with the Helena Schools, Marion Evenson and I were talking with SAndy one day and she told us that each month she would award herself with a gift if she had done a good job with her teaching. So our first questions was, “How do you know when you have done a ‘good job'” and she replied, “Each month I get a gift, so I must be doing a good job.” What a great philosphy. Sandy was a remarkable teacher reaching out to her student uring real life experiences. She was one of the best. My thoughts are with her family. Shirley DeVoe Mencher
Mary J o Wells says
What a grreat lady… I worked with Sandy at Intermounain Childrens Home when she subbed. She had my classroom for lunch at her house and showed us all her collection….She was such a knowledgeable lady ,I just loved to listen to her. We got along well seeing we were both from Butte. I just saw her July 9th and she said everything was good. I am deeply sadded by her lose. Memories of her will be with me for ever.
Mick and Jean McGonigle says
Dear Skip, Kerry and Ryan,
Just a note to say that we are thinking of you in this difficult time. We will follow with a more traditional card but both Jim and Dan Moriarity forwarded the link to the mortuary and opened this route to communication. The obituary is very nice and doesn’t say the half of it. Still, we really appreciate having it.
You are in our hearts, Mick and Jean
Denise Wheeler says
I had the opportunity to be a long-term substitute in Sandy’s classroom in the 80’s. She was ahead of her time in individualizing instruction for her students. She was a forward thinking educator who always kept the well-being of her students first. I remember her fondly.
Dianna Porter says
I remember Sandy fondly. She was a couple of years ahead of me at St. Mary’s grade school. Her personality was so upbeat that one always felt good being around her. My condolences to her husband, children, Christy, and her Moriarity cousins.
Anne Knudsen says
Sandy was my room mate and partner in many fun events and happenings at MSU. She always had great ideas about getting into mischief. We had a great time with our gang. I have many many fond memories.
Anne (Anti) Tyukodi Knudsen
Maribeth Sullivan Connell says
Sandy and I went to St Marys, Central, and Montana Tech together. She was my bridesmaid when I married Jim Connell in 1959. She was a smart, sassy, and very funny girl. I am so very sorry to hear of her death.
Marilyn Hayes says
Dear Skip, Kerry, and Ryan,
I am so sorry to learn of Sandy’s passing. What a great lady, a one of a kind.
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Hayes
Richland, WA
Carol Skelly says
Dear Howard, I was so sorry to read about your wife.
You are in my thoughts and prayers. You were always a special friend to me take care. Carol
Mark Schummer says
I loved chatting with Sandy when I would visit Kerry and Ryan. She is a wonderful spirit. My thoughts, prayers and love to you all.
Jon Howard Greuel says
Suzie and I are so very sorry for your loss. Sandy will be missed. What an amazing life!
-Jon Howard Greuel & Suzie Verdin
Mait Board says
I will miss Sandy a lot. I so enjoyed being in the Roy Kallin book club with her and listening to all her great stories.
Jim McGonigle & Louise & family says
I’m bringing
Blue Highways by
William Least Heat-Moon
to the Sandy book fair….whadda YOU got ?
JeanAnn Scheuer says
Howard: I’m so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mara says
I loved Sandy-she was amazing. I am deeply sorry for your loss.
Alex Johnson says
One of the best teachers I’ve ever had. She will be missed.
Dan Neff says
Howard and family, Sorry for you lose and god bless. Dan
Mary Rigby says
I will always remember Sandy with great fondness.
Jerry Greuel says
We will all miss Sandy.
Robert L Burcar says
Ms Heffelfinger was my fifth grade teacher in 1993. She was the best teacher I ever had at Jefferson. She taught me to use my imagination and be creative and it’s brought me far in life. I’ve been thinking of her alot lately as I illustrate my own adaptation of The Wizard Of Oz. Its as if she’s been visting me alot in spirit. She once cast me as the Tin Man in the school production of The Wizard of Oz and so I’ve made her my Glinda the good witch of the north. She has triggered many wonderful memories of my childhood lately. I’m eternally grateful I had her as my teacher and wish I had the chance to tell her how much she meant to me.