Obituary of Patricia Danser Heinz

Patricia Danser Heinz passed away peacefully on January 9, 2016 at Juniper Village in State College, PA. Patsy, as she was known by her closest friends, was born November 19, 1927 in Bronx, NY, the only child of Elizabeth and Harry Danser. She was married for sixty-three years to the late Jack Heinz of Allentown, PA, who preceded her in death in 2011. She is survived by her four children, Peter, Steven, Kristina, and Eric Anthony, who were raised in Allentown. She is also survived by her three daughters-in-law, Elizabeth Heinz, Kay Ellen Heinz and Sarah Foster; ten grandchildren, Kathryn Heinz Tilston, Scott Heinz, Elisa Heinz, Christopher Heinz, Matthew Heinz, John Heinz, Alea Stein, Sylvie Stein, Erica Heinz, and Soren Heinz; and six (and ever increasing) great grandchildren; plus three foster great grandchildren. Patsy graduated from Rye High School in 1945, where she enjoyed soccer, cheerleading, ice skating, field hockey and swimming. Her father worked at General Foods (Kraft), where he arranged for her first job as a taste tester, a skill that served her well as resident food critic later in life. She attended Wheaton College in Norton, MA, where she met her future husband, Jack, a Brown University senior, on a blind date. Patsy was a soccer mom of the 60's, devoting herself to attending all of her children's sports events, dance recitals, and the occasional ER visit. She kept the kitchen well-stocked with healthy snacks—TastyKakes and dill pickles—and prepared a homemade meal every night. Her brownie pan is a treasured family heirloom, magically producing the perfect sheet of brownies every time. Family and friends will always remember her suddenly saying "1-2, 1-2" as she tested failing hearing aid batteries. Hearing impaired from birth, she wore two hearing aids most of her life and used the mute switch to best advantage during kids' musical instrument practice sessions, late 60's rock albums and of course Jack's verbatim recitals of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky. After her children left home, she and Jack lived in Chicago and Philadelphia, and then in retirement communities in Glen Mills, and Audubon, PA. Jobs over the years included Episcopal Church secretary, retail sales, Antiquarian Society of the Art Institute of Chicago and volunteer work for the PTA, local swim club, and elections board. Patsy moved to State College, PA after Jack died to be closer to family. Patsy had a great love of dogs, especially her beloved terrier-mix Troll; they were inseparable for 15 years and terrorized the Allentown bunny community together. Either she or Troll was a talented and humorous writer. It is difficult to know which, as Troll signed most of the letters to her children when they were in college. During her final three years in State College, Patsy enjoyed attending Calvary Church and looked forward to dog visitation days at Juniper Village at Brookline. Her family is grateful for the loving care provided by the dedicated and kind staff of Juniper Village. A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 11:00 am at Koch Funeral Home, 2401S. Atherton St., State College, with reception following. Interment will be at Grandview Cemetery, Allentown, PA in a private ceremony at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Pets Come First at 2451 General Potter Highway, Centre Hall, PA 16828. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.